[kon-too-muh-lee, -tyoo-; kuh
n-too-muh-lee, -tyoo-; kon-tuhm-lee, -tyoom, -chuhm] 
| 1. | insulting display of contempt in words or actions; contemptuous or humiliating treatment. |
| 2. | a humiliating insult. |
[kon-too-mee-lee-uhs, -tyoo-] , adjective | con·tu·me·ly (kŏn'tōō-mə-lē, -tyōō-, -təm-lē) n. pl. con·tu·me·lies
[Middle English contumelie, from Old French, from Latin contumēlia; akin to contumāx, insolent.] con'tu·me'li·ous (kŏn'tə-mē'lē-əs) adj., con'tu·me'li·ous·ly adv. |
| Main Entry: | contumely1 |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | rude treatment; insolence |
| Etymology: | Latin contumelia 'abuse, insult' |
| Usage: | pl. contumelies |
| Main Entry: | contumely2 |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a rude and hurtful expression; insult |
| Etymology: | Latin contumelia 'abuse, insult' |
| Usage: | pl. contumelies |
| Main Entry: | contumely3 |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | disgrace from another's rudeness; humiliation |
| Etymology: | Latin contumelia 'abuse, insult' |
| Main Entry: | contumely |
| Part of Speech: | v |
| Definition: | to insult or treat rudely |
| Etymology: | Latin contumelia 'abuse, insult' |
| Usage: | transitive |