INSOLENT • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Insolent

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/ˈɪnsələnt/ Listen

adjective

Insolent adj.

1.

Deviating from that which is customary; novel; strange; unusual. (Obs.) "If one chance to derive any word from the Latin which is insolent to their ears... they forthwith make a jest at it." "If any should accuse me of being new or insolent."

2.

Haughty and contemptuous or brutal in behavior or language; overbearing; domineering; grossly rude or disrespectful; saucy; as, an insolent master; an insolent servant. "A paltry, insolent fellow." "Insolent is he that despiseth in his judgment all other folks as in regard of his value, of his cunning, of his speaking, and of his bearing." "Can you not see? or will ye not observe... How insolent of late he is become, How proud, how peremptory?"

3.

Proceeding from or characterized by insolence; insulting; as, insolent words or behavior. "Their insolent triumph excited... indignation."

Synonyms: Overbearing; insulting; abusive; offensive; saucy; impudent; audacious; pert; impertinent; rude; reproachful; opprobrious. Insolent, Insulting. Insolent, in its primitive sense, simply denoted unusual; and to act insolently was to act in violation of the established rules of social intercourse. He who did this was insolent; and thus the word became one of the most offensive in our language, indicating gross disregard for the feelings of others. Insulting denotes a personal attack, either in words or actions, indicative either of scorn or triumph. Compare Impertinent, Affront, Impudence.

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Etymology of 'Insolent'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Insolent" Quotes from Famous Books

... gentleman cannot have a bed here. The proprietress is out at present. I regret...." He spat this all out in the offhand insolent manner of the ...

— The Man with the Clubfoot • Valentine Williams

... was in such a rage, that before he could speak he had time to cool, and to reflect that it would be great waste to kill the only man who was willing to be useful in the present emergency, seeing that, in the end, the insolent fellow would be as dead as if he had died ...

— Half-Hours with Great Story-Tellers • Various

... the look on her handsome, common face half frightened, half fierce. Mr. Havisham had noticed, during his interviews with her, that though she had a passionate temper, and a coarse, insolent manner, she was neither so clever nor so bold as she meant to be; she seemed sometimes to be almost overwhelmed by the position in which she had placed herself. It was as if she had not expected to meet with ...

— Little Lord Fauntleroy • Frances Hodgson Burnett

... Prophet of God. But if thou refuse, I will come to thee with forces that shall leave thee like yesterday that hath passed.' And when the messenger of Solomon came to him, the King of the Sea was insolent, and magnified himself and was proud. Then he said to his viziers: 'What say ye respecting the affair of Solomon? For he hath sent demanding my daughter, and commanding me to break my carnelian-idol, and to adopt his faith.' And they replied: 'O great King, can Solomon do aught unto thee, ...

— The Arabian Nights - Their Best-known Tales • Unknown

... yet you in me insulted The pious use of hospitality; Slighting in me the holy law of nations, Immur'd me in a dungeon—tore from me My friends and servants; to unseemly want I was exposed, and hurried to the bar Of a disgraceful, insolent tribunal. No more of this;—in everlasting silence Be buried all the cruelties I suffer'd! See—I will throw the blame of all on fate, 'Twas not your fault, no more than it was mine, An evil spirit rose from the abyss, To kindle in our ...

— The Canadian Elocutionist • Anna Kelsey Howard

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