| 释义 |
▪ I. contumely, n.|ˈkɒntjuːmɪlɪ|
[a. OF. contumelie, ad. L. contumēlia abuse, insult, reproach; in origin prob. cognate with contumax, in which the stem part tum- is of disputed etymology.]
1. Insolent reproach or abuse; insulting or offensively contemptuous language or treatment; despite; scornful rudeness; now, esp. such contemptuous treatment as tends to inflict dishonour and humiliation.
c1386Chaucer Pars. T. ⁋480 The sinne of contumelie or strif and cheste. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (1531) 93 b, Detraccion is pryuely, contumely is openly done. 1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 159 Those that hearde tearmes of contumely thundred against your grace. 1602Shakes. Ham. iii. i. 71 The Oppressors wrong, the poore mans Contumely. a1679Hobbes Rhet. (1840) 452 Contumely is the disgracing of another for his own pastime. 1762Hume Hist. Eng. (1806) IV. liv. 183 To join contumely to cruelty. a1845Hood Bridge of Sighs, Perishing gloomily, Spurr'd by contumely. 1848Dickens Dombey (C.D. ed.) 86 Which Mrs. Pipchin had with contumely and scorn rejected.
2. (with a and pl.) An instance of contumely; an insult, an insolent reproach, a piece of scornful or contemptuous insolence.
c1450Mirour Saluacioun 3694 In Jerusalem of his contumelies and the place of his passionne. 1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 248 He should have contumelies, and reproches, ringing about his eares. c1615Chapman Odyss. iii. 276 Who, pressing me with contumelies, dare Such things as past the power of utt'rance are. 1713Steele in Englishm. No. 15. 97 A Freeman..will vindicate himself from all Contumelies. a1864Hawthorne Amer. Note-bks. (1879) I. 126 The pedlars find satisfaction for all contumelies in making good bargains.
3. Contemptuous insult as it affects the sufferer: disgrace, reproach, humiliation.
1555Eden Decades W. Ind. 137 The king thynketh it to sounde greatly to his contumely and reproche. 1659Pearson Creed (1839) 18 It..casteth a kind of contumely upon the author of it. 1860Holland Miss Gilbert iii. 48 He would outlive humiliation, contumely and hardship.
▪ II. † contumely, v. Obs.—1
[a. OF. contumelie-r, f. contumelie: see prec.]
trans. To treat with contumely; to reproach insolently, insult.
1483Caxton Gold. Leg. 424/1 She..said many Iniuryes & vylonyes to fyacre contumeleyng & blasphemyng hym. |