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Definitions for: Insolent
[adj] 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
[adj] marked by casual disrespect; "a flip answer to serious question"; "the student was kept in for impudent behavior"
Webster (1913) Definition: 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.
Synonyms: audacious, barefaced, bodacious, bold-faced, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, disrespectful, flip, impudent, snotty-nosed, unashamed
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