ETYM Latin contumacia, from contumax, -acis, insolent; prob. akin to contemnere to despise: cf. French contumace. Related to Contemn.
1. Obstinate rebelliousness and insubordination; resistance to authority.
2. Willful refusal to appear before a court or comply with a court order.
Absence volontaire ŕ la comparution en justice.