contumacy

Definitions

con- (here intensifying, 'thoroughly') + tum (swell) + -acy (state) = the state of being thoroughly swollen up — too puffed with self-importance to obey. The swelling here is the ego: a contumacious person is so inflated that they defy authority, especially a court.

Why It Means This

The word hides a vivid metaphor: con- + tumēre literally means 'to swell up thoroughly.' Romans pictured a defiant person as someone puffed up with pride, too inflated to bend to anyone. That swollen ego is why contumacy means stubborn, arrogant disobedience rather than mere refusal.

Common Collocations

• 1.guilty of contumacy违抗（法庭）罪成立
• 2.in contumacy处于抗命状态
• 3.open contumacy公然抗命

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He was jailed for contumacy after defying the judge's order.

• 2.

  The witness's contumacy brought the hearing to a halt.

• 3.

  Her open contumacy toward the board cost her the position.