From the ArcaMax Publishing, Vocabulary Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/vocabulary/s-346680-981766
contumely \kon-TYOO-muh-lee; -TOO-; KON-tyoo-mee-lee; -too-;
KON-tum-lee\ (noun) - 1 : Rudeness or rough treatment arising from
haughtiness and contempt; scornful insolence. 2 : An instance of
contemptuousness in act or speech.
"But surely it would be desperate unkindness to add contumely to our
self-protection, unless, indeed, we believe that contumely is one of
our best means of self-protection." -- Samuel Butler, 'Erewhon'
Contumely comes ultimately from Latin contumelia, outrage, insult.