Harsh treatment arising from haughty contempt; insulting and humiliating behavior or language. Refers to deliberate verbal abuse or scornful treatment.
From Latin 'contumelia' meaning 'reproach, insult,' related to 'contumax' (stubborn). The word carries the sense of prideful, deliberate humiliation of others through words or actions.
Remember Hamlet's 'To be or not to be' speech mentions 'the proud man's contumely' - it's the cruel, haughty insults that proud people dish out! Think 'CON-tumely' as 'con-artist of cruelty.'
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