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more about contumely
contumely |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Contumely \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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: contumely n : a rude expression intended to offend or hurt; "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team" [syn: {abuse}, {insult}, {revilement}]
more about contumely
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