insular

in·su·lar

adjective \ˈin(t)-su̇-lər, -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-lər\

Definition of INSULAR

1

a : of, relating to, or constituting an island

b : dwelling or situated on an island <insular residents>

2

: characteristic of an isolated people; especially : being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint

3

: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue

— in·su·lar·ism \-lə-ˌri-zəm\ noun

— in·su·lar·i·ty \ˌin(t)-su̇-ˈla-rə-tē, -syu̇-, ˌin-shə-ˈla-\ noun

— in·su·lar·ly \ˈin(t)-su̇-lər-lē, -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-\ adverb

Examples of INSULAR

1. the insular world of boarding schools
2. <an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders>

Origin of INSULAR

Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island

First Known Use: 1611

Related to INSULAR

Synonyms

illiberal, narrow, Lilliputian, little, narrow-minded, parochial, petty, picayune, provincial, sectarian, small, small-minded

Antonyms

broad-minded, catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal, open, open-minded, receptive, tolerant

Related Words

inflexible, ironbound, obdurate, obstinate, rigid, set, stubborn, unyielding, wrongheaded; bigoted, intolerant; biased, discriminating, discriminatory, jaundiced, one-sided, partial, partisan, prejudiced; brass bound, hidebound, old-fashioned, reactionary, stodgy, straitlaced (or straightlaced), stuffy; dogmatic (also dogmatical), opinionated, opinionative; limited; hick, unsophisticated

Near Antonyms

impartial, nonpartisan, objective, unbiased, unprejudiced; freethinking

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

in·su·lar

adjective \-lər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of INSULAR

: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue (as the islets of Langerhans or the insula)