Main Entry: ¹in·sult

Pronunciation: \in-ˈsəlt\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French insulter, from Latin insultare, literally, to spring upon, from in- + saltare to leap — more at saltation

Date: 1540

intransitive verb archaic : to behave with pride or arrogance : vaunttransitive verb : to treat with insolence, indignity, or contempt : affront; also : to affect offensively or damagingly <doggerel that insults the reader's intelligence>

synonyms see offend

— in·sult·er noun

— in·sult·ing·ly \in-ˈsəl-tiŋ-lē\ adverb