Contumacy \Con"tu*ma*cy\ (k[o^]n"t[-u]*m[.a]*s[y^]), n.; pl.
   Contumacies (k[o^]n"t[-u]*m[.a]*s[i^]z). [L. contumacia,
   fr. contumax, -acis, insolent; prob. akin to contemnere to
   despise: cf. F. contumace. Cf. Contemn.]
   1. Stubborn perverseness; pertinacious resistance to
      authority.
      [1913 Webster]

            The bishop commanded him . . . to be thrust into the
            stocks for his manifest and manifold contumacy.
                                                  --Strype.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Law) A willful contempt of, and disobedience to, any
      lawful summons, or to the rules and orders of court, as a
      refusal to appear in court when legally summoned.

   Syn: Stubbornness; perverseness; obstinacy.
        [1913 Webster]