01 a. Deviating from that which is customary; novel; strange; unusual.
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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 forthwith make a jest at it.” — Pettie.“If any should accuse me of being new or insolent.” — Milton.
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2.
Haughty and contemptuous or brutal in behavior or language; overbearing; domineering; grossly rude or disrespectful; saucy; as, an insolent master; an insolent servant.“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.
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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.
-- 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.