Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-TU-MA'CIOUS, a. [L. contumax, from con and tumeo, to swell.]

1. Literally, swelling against; haughty. Hence, obstinate; perverse; stubborn; inflexible; unyielding; disobedient; as, a contumacious child.
2. In law, willfully disobedient to the orders of a court. – Blackstone.