Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Contumacy
Con′tu-ma-cy
(kŏn′tū̍-mȧ-sy̆)
, Noun.
pl.
. Contumacies
(kŏn′tū̍-mȧ-sĭz)
[L.
contumacia
, fr. contumax
, -acis
, insolent; prob. akin to contemnere
to despise: cf. F. contumace
. Cf. Contemn
.] 1.
Stubborn perverseness; pertinacious resistance to authority.
The bishop commanded him . . . to be thrust into the stocks for his manifest and manifold
contumacy
. Strype.
Syn. – Stubbornness; perverseness; obstinacy.
Webster 1828 Edition
Contumacy
CONTUMACY
,Noun.
1.
Stubbornness; unyielding obstinacy; inflexibility.2.
In law, a wilful contempt and disobedience to any lawful summons or order of court; a refusal to appear in court when legally summoned, or disobedience to its rules and orders.