# contumely

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkɒnt͡ʃuːməli/

## Definitions
1. Offensive and abusive language or behaviour; scorn, insult.

## Etymology
From Old French contumelie, from Latin contumēlia (“insult”), perhaps from com- + tumeō (“swell”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/contumely