contumelia Latin · revision 8051

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=la tumeō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [kɔn.tʊˈmeː.li.a]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kon.tuˈmɛː.li.a]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''contumēlia''' ''f'' (genitive contumēliae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+ A post-classical form ''contumia'' appears in Martianus Capella and the glosses.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably a noun made from an adjective ⟨*contumēlis⟩ “insulting”, from a verb ⟨*contumē-⟩ “to insult”, best derived from the stem of [[tumeō]] “to be swollen”, through “boasting” and “insulting”.^(de Vaan 2008) De Vaan suggests the prefix [[com-]] was added by analogy with [[contemnō]] “to scorn”, which is close in sense.^(de Vaan 2008) The OLD connects it with [[contumāx]] “stubborn”, as Wiktionary and Etymonline do, while Lewis and Short and Döderlein derive it from ⟨contemnere⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan's first attestation is Plautus, who has ''contumēliam dīcere'' “to insult”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Gaffiot 2016) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant insulting language or behaviour, an affront, an indignity, as in Plautus and Cicero's ''contumēliam iacere in aliquem'' “to hurl an insult at someone”, and in Caesar rough treatment of things.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Döderlein explains that ''contumēlia'' is a wrong to another's honour, ''iniūria'' a violation of his rights, so that a blow is both.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ British Medieval Latin used it for an indignity, an affront, and a brawl.^(DMLBS) It survives in Italian and Spanish ''contumelia'' and French ''contumélie'', and through Old French it gave [[en|contumely]] in the late 14th century.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of an insult.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of hurling insults.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of rough treatment.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''contumely'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[m|en|insult]], affront, indignity; [[m|en|contumely]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Rough treatment.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A brawl.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[contumēliōsus]]

+ * [[contumēliō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[contumēliōsē]]

+ * [[contumāx]]

+ * [[tumeō]]

+ * [[en|contumely]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[iniūria]].^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}