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insolent - 4 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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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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : insolent
Spanish: insolente,
German: unverschämt,
Japanese: 無礼な
More Translations »

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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