contumacious
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Latin contumāx (“stubborn, obstinate”)
Pronunciation [edit]
- (RP) IPA: /ˌkɒn.tjʊˈmeɪ.ʃəs/, X-SAMPA: /%kQn.tjU"mEI.S@s/
- (US) IPA: /ˌkɑːn.tʊˈmeɪ.ʃəs/, /ˌkɑːn.tjəˈmeɪ.ʃəs/, X-SAMPA: /%kA:n.tU"mEI.S@s/
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Audio (US) (file) - Rhymes: -eɪʃəs
Adjective [edit]
contumacious (comparative more contumacious, superlative most contumacious)
- Contemptuous of authority; willfully disobedient; rebellious.
- 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes” in The Poetical Works of John Milton, volume 4 (edited by Henry John Todd; published in 1801), page 505:
- The queen hears of it; takes occaſion to paſſe wher he is, on purpoſe, that, under prætense of reconſiling to him, or ſeeking to draw a kind retractation from him of the cenſure on the marriage; to which end ſhe ſends a courtier before, to ſound whether he might be perſuaded to mitigate his ſentence; which not finding, ſhe herſelf craftily aſſays; and, on his conſtancie, ſounds an accuſation to Herod of a contumacious affront, on ſuch a day, before many peers; præpares the king to ſome paſſion, and at laſt, by her daughter’s dancing, effects it.
- 1837, Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution, Book 2.V:
- In all places too are Dissident Priests; whom the Legislative will have to deal with: contumacious individuals, working on that angriest of passions; plotting, enlisting.
- 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes” in The Poetical Works of John Milton, volume 4 (edited by Henry John Todd; published in 1801), page 505:
- (law) Willfully disobedient to the summons or orders of a court.
Synonyms [edit]
- (contemptuous of authority): disobedient, insubordinate, obstinate, perverse, rebellious, stubborn
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
contemptuous of authority
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in law, willfully disobedient
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