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insults - 1 dictionary results
in·sult     (ĭn-sŭlt')  Pronunciation Key 
v.   in·sult·ed, in·sult·ing, in·sults

v.   tr.
    1. To treat with gross insensitivity, insolence, or contemptuous rudeness. See Synonyms at offend.
    2. To affront or demean: an absurd speech that insulted the intelligence of the audience.
  2. Obsolete To make an attack on.

v.   intr. Archaic
  1. To behave arrogantly.
  2. To give offense; offend: a speech that was intended to insult.

n.   (ĭn'sŭlt')
  1. An offensive action or remark.
    1. Medicine A bodily injury, irritation, or trauma.
    2. Something that causes bodily injury, irritation, or trauma: "the middle of the Bronx, buffeted and poisoned by the worst environmental insults that urban America can dish out" (William K. Stevens).


[French insulter, from Old French, to assault, from Latin īnsultāre, to leap at, insult, frequentative of īnsilīre, to leap upon : in-, on; see in-2 + salīre, to leap; see sel- in Indo-European roots.]

in·sult'er n., in·sult'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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