See Also: contumelious(dictionary)

contumelious (iou)



contumelious adjective. LME.
[Old French contumelieus (mod. -eux) from Latin contumeliosus, from contumelia: see CONTUMELY, -OUS.]
Of a word, action, etc., (formerly) a person: scornfully insulting, insolent, reproachful. LME.
Shakespeare 1 Henry VI With scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious taunts. Tennyson Curving a contumelious lip.
Shameful, ignominious. M16-M17.
contumeliously adverb M16.
contumeliousness noun M17.