| 释义 |
▪ I. insolence, n.|ˈɪnsələns|
Also 5 -ens, 6 -ense.
[ad. L. insolēntia, f. insolēnt-em insolent: see -ence. Cf. F. insolence (15th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. The quality of being insolent, esp. as manifested in action.
†a. Pride; haughty or overbearing conduct or disposition; arrogance, contempt for inferiors. Obs. or blending with b.
c1386Chaucer Pars. T. ⁋317 Twigges..that cometh of pride..Arrogance. Inpudence. swellynge of herte. Insolence. Elacion. Inpacience. c1470Harding Chron. Proem. i, My ghoost to kepe from synne and insolence. 1591Spenser Teares Muses 72 They now, puft vp with sdeignfull insolence, Despise the brood of blessed Sapience. 1607Shakes. Cor. i. i. 266, I do wonder, his insolence can brooke to be commanded vnder Cominius. 1667Milton P.L. i. 502 When Night Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. 1703Rowe Fair Penit. ii. i. 553 The rich Man's Insolence. 1769Robertson Chas. V (1796) III. 262 He began..to treat the citizens with great insolence. a1873Lytton Pausanias (1876) 35 The contrast between the insolence of the Spartan chief and the courtesy of the Athenians.
b. Offensive contemptuousness of action or speech due to presumption; impertinently insulting behaviour; sauciness.
1668Davenant Man's the Master iii. i. Wks. 1874 V. 57 ‘Tell Me by what title thou pretend'st to have Authority to punish her?’..‘I ought to do it.’..‘That's insolence! Art thou not a servant?’ 1683Brit. Spec. 112 When their Insolence was such, as to make Kings the Instruments of their Ambition. 1749Fielding Tom Jones 33 The generality of those who get their livelihood by people of fashion, contract as much insolence to the rest of mankind, as if they really belonged to that rank themselves. 1830D'Israeli Chas. I, III. v. 76 Abbot's behaviour to the highest nobility in the kingdom, was such as to border on insolence. 1861D. Cook P. Foster's D. i, He spoke with such coolness that what he said sounded almost like insolence.
c. with an and pl. An instance of this; an insolent act; a piece of insolence. Now rare.
1491Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) 42 The crysten men were constrayned to don in lyke wyse suche insolences with the Arryens. 1607Grimstone tr. Goulart's Mem. Hist. 33 The husband..sees his enemy come who continues his insolences. 1631Gouge God's Arrows iii. §60. 296 Revenging unsupportable insolences and injuries. 1680Morden Geog. Rect. (1685) 348 To secure themselves from the Assaults and Insolences of Night Robbers. 1711Spotswood in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Col. Ch. I. 188 Their Cowardly behaviour..will embolden the Indians to continue their insolences. 1831Lytton Godolphin 9 For a much smaller insolence than you seem capable of.
d. transf. An insolent person.
1741Richardson Pamela (1824) I. 180 Insolence! continued she, this moment, when I bid you, know your duty, and give me a glass of wine.
†2. Exultation: cf. insolent 4. Obs.
1595Spenser Colin Clout 621 Her great excellence Lifts me above the measure of my might: That, being fild with furious insolence, I feele my selfe like one yrapt in spright.
†3. The condition of being unused or unaccustomed to a thing; inexperience. Obs.
1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 321 Excusenge that thynge by the insolence of the childe [per insipientiam puerilem]. a1500Crt. of Love 936 Ye shall not find in me suche insolence.
†4. The quality or character of being unusual; strangeness, unaccustomedness. Obs.
a1631Donne Ess. Div. (1651) 128 By the hardness and insolence of the Phrase.
▪ II. † ˈinsolence, v. Obs. rare—1.
[f. prec. n.]
trans. To treat with insolence, behave insolently towards.
1648Eikon Bas. iv. 24 The Bishops, who were first fouly insolenced and assaulted. |