— insultable , adj. — insulter , n.
v. /in sult"/ ; n. /in"sult/ , v.t.
1. to treat or speak to insolently or with contemptuous rudeness; affront.
2. to affect as an affront; offend or demean.
3. Archaic. to attack; assault.
v.i.
4. Archaic. to behave with insolent triumph; exult contemptuously (usually fol. by on, upon, or over ).
n.
5. an insolent or contemptuously rude action or remark; affront.
6. something having the effect of an affront: That book is an insult to one's intelligence.
7. Med.
a. an injury or trauma.
b. an agent that inflicts this.
8. Archaic. an attack or assault.
[ 1560-70; insultare to jump on, insult, equiv. to in- IN- 2 + -sultare, comb. form of saltare to jump; see SALTANT ]
Syn. 1. offend, scorn, injure, abuse. 5. offense, outrage. INSULT, INDIGNITY, AFFRONT, SLIGHT imply an act that injures another's honor, self-respect, etc. INSULT implies such insolence of speech or manner as deeply humiliates or wounds one's feelings and arouses to anger. INDIGNITY is esp. used of inconsiderate, contemptuous treatment toward one entitled to respect. AFFRONT implies open disrespect or offense shown, as it were, to the face. SLIGHT may imply inadvertent indifference or disregard, which may also indicate ill-concealed contempt.
Ant. 1, 5. compliment.