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insolent

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insolent


  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Insolent  \In"so*lent\,  a.  [F.  insolent,  L.  insolens,  -entis, 
  pref.  in-  not  +  solens  accustomed,  p.  pr  of  solere  to  be 
  accustomed.] 
  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  forth 
  with  make  a  jest  at  it  --Pettie. 
 
  If  any  should  accuse  me  of  being  new  or  insolent. 
  --Milton. 
 
  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.''  --Shak. 
 
  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. 
  --Chaucer. 
 
  Can  you  not  see?  or  will  ye  not  observe  .  .  .  How 
  insolent  of  late  he  is  become  How  proud,  how 
  peremptory?  --Shak. 
 
  3.  Proceeding  from  or  characterized  by  insolence;  insulting; 
  as  insolent  words  or  behavior. 
 
  Their  insolent  triumph  excited  .  .  .  indignation. 
  --Macaulay. 
 
  Syn:  Overbearing;  insulting;  abusive;  offensive;  saucy; 
  impudent;  audacious;  pert;  impertinent;  rude; 
  reproachful;  opprobrious. 
 
  Usage:  {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}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  insolent 
  adj  1:  marked  by  casual  disrespect;  "a  flip  answer  to  serious 
  question";  "the  student  was  kept  in  for  impudent 
  behavior"  [syn:  {impudent},  {snotty-nosed},  {flip}] 
  2:  unrestrained  by  convention  or  propriety;  "an  audacious  trick 
  to  pull";  "a  barefaced  hypocrite";  "the  most  bodacious 
  display  of  tourism  this  side  of  Anaheim"-  Los  Angeles 
  Times;  "bold-faced  lies";  "brazen  arrogance";  "the  modern 
  world  with  its  quick  material  successes  and  insolent 
  belief  in  the  boundless  possibilities  of  progress"- 
  Bertrand  Russell  [syn:  {audacious},  {barefaced},  {bodacious}, 
  {bold-faced},  {brassy},  {brazen},  {brazen-faced}] 




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