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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Contumax, a. and n. Also: contimax. [ME. contimax (Chaucer), -tymax, L. contumax.]

1. Contumacious; wilfully disobedient to a court or to church discipline.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 996.
The court is callit, and ȝe ar contumax Ib. 1042.
Quhair is ȝone meir … wes contumax c 1525 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 391.
He was and is all tyme contumax, and comperit nocht be hymself nor his procuratour 1535 Stewart 29126.
He … that did thair counsall heir Wes contumax, and sic wald nocht compeir 1593 Hist. James VI 280.
He was notwithstanding contumax 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 8.
Gif he remains contumax, and neither compeires, nor sendes ane excusatour for him, to the fourt summons [etc.] 1640 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 154.
With certificatione … that if they failȝie … they shall be halden as contumax and censurit thairfore(2) 1587 Bk. Univ. Kirk II. 711.
The Assemblie finds him contumax for not compeiring, nor sending any reasonable excuse for his absence 1607 Ellon Presb. 15.
Elspet Garioch, contumax and obstinate papist, … noysum and hurtfull to the congregatioun 1642 Strathbogie Presb. 32.
Incaice she continue contumax she may be censured 1670 Inverness Presb. 3.
Christian Chambers … , who is contumax and ordained to be processedpl. 1609 Kinghorn Kirk S. 15.
[The session] thinks it meit that the minister … gang up to Cardoun, thair to deall with the folks that are fund contumaces 1633 Kirkcaldy Presb. 68.
They were decernit contumaces in not obeying the Presbyteries decreit

2. n. Contumacy. 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 191.
The said maister Iames producit … ane lettir of contimax upone the said Alexander 1526 Acts II. 303/1.
Nocht comperand personaly, bot be contumax & tresonably absentand him