contumacious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite wilfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
    • a contumaceous witness is subject to punishment

WordNet

Con`tu*ma"cious adjective
Etymology
L. contumax, -acis. See Contumacy.
Definitions
  1. Exhibiting contumacy; contemning authority; obstinate; perverse; stubborn; disobedient.
    There is another very, efficacious method for subding the most obstinate, contumacious sinner. Hammond.
  2. (Law) Willfully disobedient to the summous or prders of a court. Blackstone. Syn. -- Stubborn; obstinate; obdurate; disobedient; perverse; unyielding; headstrong. -- Con`tu*ma"cious*ly, adv. -- Con`tu*ma"cious*ness, n.

Webster 1913