INSOLENCE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does insolence mean? 

• INSOLENCE (noun)
  The noun INSOLENCE has 2 senses:

1. the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties

2. an offensive disrespectful impudent act

  Familiarity information: INSOLENCE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INSOLENCE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

cheekiness; crust; freshness; gall; impertinence; impudence; insolence

Hypernyms ("insolence" is a kind of...):

discourtesy; rudeness (a manner that is rude and insulting)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "insolence"):

chutzpa; chutzpah; hutzpah ((Yiddish) unbelievable gall; insolence; audacity)

Derivation:

insolent (unrestrained by convention or propriety)

insolent (marked by casual disrespect)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An offensive disrespectful impudent act

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("insolence" is a kind of...):

discourtesy; offence; offense; offensive activity (a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others)

Derivation:

insolent (marked by casual disrespect)

 Context examples 

Such insolence of behaviour as Miss Tilney's she had never heard of in her life!

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

The man’s insolence was maddening, but we could not resent it.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Instead of answering, Professor Challenger entered, shook hands with myself and Lord John, bowed with ponderous insolence to Professor Summerlee, and sank back into a basket-chair, which creaked and swayed beneath his weight.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was all pride and insolence.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

“I cannot understand it,” quoth the seneschal, “for the English knights and nobles whom I have met were not men to brook the insolence of the base born.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Dig away, boys,” said Silver with the coolest insolence; “you'll find some pig-nuts and I shouldn't wonder.”

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

I have had to contend against the unkindness of his sister, and the insolence of his mother; and have suffered the punishment of an attachment, without enjoying its advantages.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

He had taken little or no wine; and I presume it was the mere insolence of triumph that was upon him, flushed perhaps by the temptation my presence furnished to its exhibition.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I’ll give it you well for your insolence! and upon that she fell upon Chanticleer most lustily.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official detective force!

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)