I. -lənt adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin insolent-, insolens; akin to Latin insolescere to grow haughty and probably to Latin solēre to be accustomed, sodalis comrade — more at ethical
1.
a. : haughty and contemptuous or brutal in behavior or language : overbearing
how insolent of late he is become — Shakespeare
b. : lacking usual or proper respect for rank or position : presumptuously disrespectful or familiar toward equals or superiors : provokingly free or pert
insolent street-corner loafers
I will not tolerate an insolent child
2. : proceeding from or characterized by insolence
heard out his insolent speech
3.
a. obsolete : exceeding due bounds : excessive , extravagant
b. : of such scope as to give an effect of contemptuous self-assurance
the modern world, with its quick material successes and its insolent belief in the boundless possibilities of progress — Bertrand Russell
mastered the violin with insolent ease
4. obsolete : not customary : novel , strange , unusual
Synonyms: see proud
II. noun
( -s )
: one who is insolent