insulting

Variant of insult

insult definition

in·sult (in sult; for n. insult′)

transitive verb

  1. to treat or speak to with scorn, insolence, or great disrespect; subject to treatment, a remark, etc. that hurts or is meant to hurt the feelings or pride
  2. Obsolete to attack; assail

Etymology: MFr insulter < L insultare, to leap upon, scoff at, insult < in-, in, on + saltare, freq. of salire, to leap: see salient

intransitive verb

Archaic to behave arrogantly

noun

  1. an insulting act, remark, etc.; affront; indignity
  2. Archaic an attack; assault
  3. Med.
    1. damage or injury to tissues or organs of the body
    2. anything that causes this

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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