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insolent

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅so⋅lent

  [in-suh-luhnt]
Use insolent in a Sentence
–adjective
1. boldly rude or disrespectful; contemptuously impertinent; insulting: an insolent reply.
–noun
2. an insolent person.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L insolent- (s. of insolēns) departing from custom, equiv. to in- in- 3 + sol- (s. of solēre to be accustomed) + -ent- -ent

Related forms:
in⋅so⋅lent⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. brazen; contemptuous. See impertinent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To insolent
in·so·lent   (ĭn'sə-lənt)   
adj.  

  1. Presumptuous and insulting in manner or speech; arrogant.

  2. Audaciously rude or disrespectful; impertinent.


[Middle English, from Latin īnsolēns, īnsolent-, immoderate, arrogant : in-, not; see in-1 + solēns, present participle of solēre, to be accustomed.]
in'so·lent n., in'so·lent·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

insolent 
c.1386, "proud, disdainful, haughty, arrogant," from L. insolentem (nom. insolens) "arrogant, immoderate," lit. "unusual," from in- "not" + solentem, prp. of solere "be accustomed," which possibly is related to sodalis "close companion," and to suescere "become used to." Meaning "contemptuous of rightful authority" is from 1678.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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