Con"tu*me*ly (?), n. [L. contumelia, prob. akin to contemnere to despise: cf. OF. contumelie. Cf. Contumacy.]
Rudeness compounded of haughtiness and contempt; scornful insolence; despiteful treatment; disdain; contemptuousness in act or speech; disgrace.
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely.
Shak.
Nothing aggravates tyranny so much as contumely.
Burke.
© Webster 1913.