contumacia Latin · revision 32037

+ {{infobox|confidence=disputed|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=la contumāx}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [kɔn.tʊˈmaː.ki.a]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [kon.tuˈmaː.t͡ʃi.a]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''contumācia''' ''f'' (genitive contumāciae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|contumāx|-ia|t1=stubborn, defiant]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) The origin of the adjective has been disputed since antiquity: the OLD analyses it as [[m|la|con-]] with the root of [[m|la|temnō|t=to despise]] or of [[m|la|tumeō|t=to swell]] and the suffix ⟨-āx⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) The grammarian Velius Longus derived it from [[m|la|contemnō|t=to scorn]], while Nisus thought it could come from [[m|la|tumor|t=swelling]];^(TLL) Isidore of Seville explained it as one who scorns.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who writes that Torquatus was enraged by the defiance of an answer; the Thesaurus notes that it is not used by the poets.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means proud and defiant behaviour, stubbornness or obstinacy, usually in a bad sense.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In law it is wilful disobedience to a court's order, contumacy, as in an inscription about men who persisted in their contumacy.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein distinguishes it from [[pertinācia]]: ''pertinacia'' is the obstinacy that sticks to a decision once made, ''contumacia'' the haughty assertion of one's own will against legitimate authority, the opposite of ''obsequium''.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “insolence, stubbornness, refusal to obey”,^(Stelten 1995) and in medieval law it is default, failure to appear in court.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a defiant answer.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * Middle Ages – Of default in court.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ * c. 1200 – Borrowed into English as [[m|en|contumacy]], partly through Old French.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|stubbornness|alt=Stubbornness]], obstinacy, defiance, [[m|en|arrogance]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(law)'' Wilful disobedience to a court's order, [[m|en|contumacy]];^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) ''(Medieval Latin)'' [[m|en|default]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[contumāciter]]

+ * [[contumāx]]

+ * [[contumēliōsē]]

+ * [[contumēliōsus]]

+ * [[pertinacia|alt=pertinācia]]

+ * [[en|contumacy]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}