kən.ˈt(y)üməsē, (ˈ)kän.|t-, -si; ˈkäntəm-, -n.tyə-, -nchə- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English contumacie, from Latin contumacia, from contumac-, contumax insubordinate (from com- + -tumax, from tumēre to swell, be proud) + -ia -y — more at thumb
1. : stubborn resistance to authority ; specifically : willful contempt of court
2. : refusal to comply
the contumacy of Frenchmen in stolidly remaining French — G.W.Johnson