See Also: insolent(medicine)
insolent(dictionary)
insolent(dictionary)

insolent (iou)



insolent adjective & noun. LME.
[Latin insolent-, formed as IN-3 + solent- pres. ppl stem of solere be accustomed: see -ENT.]
A. adjective.
I.
Orig., arrogant or overbearing in conduct or behaviour. Later, offensively contemptuous; impertinently insulting. LME.
J. Gay 'What arrogance!' the snail replied; 'How insolent is upstart pride!' R. West Cook's face was bland, but her tone was unmistakably insolent.
Going beyond the bounds of propriety; extravagant, immoderate. LME-E18.
Steele All the Extremities of Household Expence, Furniture and insolent Equipage.
II.
Unaccustomed to a thing; inexperienced. L15-L16.
Unusual, strange. L16-M17.
J. Brinsley Words which are insolent, hard and out of use, are to be as warily avoided.
b. noun. An insolent person. L16.
insolently adverb LME.