[a. OF. contumelie, ad. L. contumēlia abuse, insult, reproach; in origin prob. cognate with CONTUMAX, in which the stem part tum- is of disputed etymology.]
1. Insolent reproach or abuse; insulting or offensively contemptuous language or treatment; despite; scornful rudeness; now, esp. such contemptuous treatment as tends to inflict dishonor and humiliation.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 480. The sinne of contumelie or strif and cheste.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (1531), 93 b. Detraccion is pryuely, contumely is openly done.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 159. Those that hearde tearmes of contumely thundred against your grace.
1602. Shaks., Ham., III. i. 71. The Oppressors wrong, the poore mans Contumely.
a. 1679. Hobbes, Rhet. (1840), 452. Contumely is the disgracing of another for his own pastime.
1762. Hume, Hist. Eng. (1806), IV. liv. 183. To join contumely to cruelty.
a. 1845. Hood, Bridge of Sighs. Perishing gloomily, Spurr’d by contumely.
1848. Dickens, Dombey (C. D. ed.), 86. Which Mrs. Pipchin had with contumely and scorn rejected.
2. (with a and pl.) An instance of contumely; an insult, an insolent reproach, a piece of scornful or contemptuous insolence.
c. 1450. Mirour Saluacioun, 3694. In Jerusalem of his contumelies and the place of his passionne.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 248. He should have contumelies, and reproches, ringing about his eares.
c. 1615. Chapman, Odyss., III. 276. Who, pressing me with contumelies, dare Such things as past the power of utt’rance are.
1713. Steele, in Englishm., No. 15. 97. A Freeman … will vindicate himself from all Contumelies.
a. 1864. Hawthorne, Amer. Note-bks. (1879), I. 126. The pedlars find satisfaction for all contumelies in making good bargains.
3. Contemptuous insult as it affects the sufferer: disgrace, reproach, humiliation.
1555. Eden, Decades W. Ind., 137. The king thynketh it to sounde greatly to his contumely and reproche.
1659. Pearson, Creed (1839), 18. It … casteth a kind of contumely upon the author of it.
1860. Holland, Miss Gilbert, iii. 48. He would outlive humiliation, contumely and hardship.
