insular Hear it!

insular Definition

in·su·lar (in′sə lər; -so̵o-, -syo̵o-)

adjective

  1. of, or having the form of, an island
  2. living or situated on an island
  3. like an island; detached; isolated
  4. of, like, or characteristic of islanders, esp. when regarded as narrow-minded, illiberal, or provincial
  5. Med.
    1. characterized by isolated spots
    2. of the islets of Langerhans or other islands of tissue

Etymology: L insularis < insula, island: see isle

insular Related Forms
in′·su·lar′·ity (in′syo̵o lar′ə tē) noun or in′·su·lar·ism′ in′·su·larly adverb
insular Synonyms

insular

modif.

  1. Isolated

    detached, alone, separate; see isolated, separated.

  2. Biased

    narrow-minded, bigoted, illiberal, provincial; see prejudiced.

insular Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • become: English art, in other words, became insular, cut adrift from the European mainstream.
  • remain: It is no longer possible for any country to remain insular!

Adjective modifier

  • little: I think we English are a little insular, that is the problem of living on an island.
  • less: Less tangibly, I became both more and less insular in my thinking.

Modifies a noun

  • cortex: Increased T2 signal from the head of the left caudate nucleus, the globus pallidus and the insular cortex.
  • literature: Insular Latin literature has a fascination in its own right.
  • art: The geometric patterns on Luke's garment and in the interlace panels at the side are typical of Insular art.
  • culture: It is a insular culture, regardless of music.
  • language: The course will also take some account of the similarities and differences between Old Irish and the other Insular Celtic languages.
  • world: These two charges - you have sold out; you are hiding within the insular academic world - are in a sense symmetrically opposed.

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: The report talks about the global information economy but is actually somewhat insular in its view.
  • too: As we evaluated the ministry we saw the danger of becoming too insular and the need to concentrate more on outreach.
  • rather: I'm assuming that you have a modest skill with Guitar but that you find doing it on your own a rather insular experience.
  • very: The coverage in the British press in many respects is still very insular.
  • quite: People can be quite insular ' Travel news: The end of the line?
  • so: He seemed so insular and I thought he didn't want me any more.

Noun used with modifier

  • bit: More Music - At the moment, I'm a bit insular in my music tastes.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: I smoke too much, I drink too much, I don't get enough exercise, I have become insular.