Middle English Dictionary Entry
insolence n.
Entry Info
| Forms | insolence n. Also insolens. |
| Etymology | L insolentia & OF insolence. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Immoderate conduct, behavior contrary to law or custom; evil deeds; (b) the quality of being excessive or sinful, wickedness; (c) ?extravagance, ?indecency.
Associated quotations
a
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)7.1162 : Dissolucioun & dronken insolence..Ibanshed wern.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.145 : Full ofte it [dignity] is defouled sikerly B[e] þeym þat ysen it with insolence.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)289 : Thomas Mounbray..cam onto Maister Richard Scrop..and mad confederacion that thei schuld help to amende the insolens in the reme.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.205 : He vsede insolence [Trev.: dede outrageousliche; L insolentius agere cœpit] by iij yere and vij monethes ageyne the consuetude of the liberte of Rome.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.293 : Tetrarches were institute to depresse the insolence [L insolentiam; Trev.: outrage] of the peple of the Iewes.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)6.233 : But after that he wente to the mownte Cassyne, for the insolence of men of Fraunce commynge to hym and visitynge hym as theire lorde.
- c1450(1446) Nightingale (Clg A.2)10/269 : When ye be sterede to wanton insolence, Restreyne your-self and in your herte thenk euer How Salomon sayde.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.2246 : Off fals vsage he was so femynyne, That among women vppon the rokke he span..And off froward flesshli insolence, Off alle men he fledde the presence.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.2536 : Whan resoun faileth, and sensualite Holdeth the bridel off lecherous insolence..vice..Misledith pryncis off wilful reklesnesse To gret errour off froward idilnesse.
- a1475 Asneth (Hnt EL 26.A.13)221 : He was chast & virgine pure, & clene in continence, Dredyng with fere the infeccion of femenyn insolence.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.15 : My witte would haue some diligence, My ghoost to kepe from synne and insolence.
c
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)514 : Grete insolence of vesture began to encrease in the begynnynge of this kynge.
2.
Arrogance, haughtiness.
Associated quotations
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.391 : Ther is Inobedience, Auauntynge, Ypocrisye, Despit, Arrogance, Impudence, Swellynge of herte, Insolence, Elacioun, Inpacience, Stryf.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.3729 : The riche he robbed, oppressid the poraille, Of verrai pompe & froward insolence, And list to goddis do no reuerence.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)5399 : Youthe, abundaunce, & eek beute..oftyn..Mynystrys bene vn-to insolence, And of alle vycys þe bryngers yn.
3.
(a) Misbehavior, bad manners; (b) a mischievous act; (c) folly, ignorance, inexperience.
Associated quotations
a
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.SPuer(1) (LdMisc 683)89 : In childeris werre now myrthe, now debate..A Rod refourmeth al her insolence.
- c1475 Babies' Bk.(Hrl 5086)95 : Yiff that youre lorde also yee se drynkynge, Looke that ye be in rihte stable sylence Withe-oute lowde lauhtere or Iangelynge, Rovnynge, Iapynge, or other Insolence.
b
- (c1450) Capgr.St.Aug.(Add 36704)9/6 : He schryuyth him also þat in þis age he ded many insolens more for vanite þan for nede, and in special of an appil-tre þat stood..on a-noþir mannes lond of whech..be-cause þat he myth haue had bettir appillis in his faderes possession..he ete hem nawt, but þrew hem on-to hoggis.
c
- (c1450) Capgr.St.Aug.(Add 36704)8/25 : What for euel felauchip þat he was falle in, what for insolens of his wauntown age, he used tauernes and stewis and swech sory gouernauns as þei vse whech haue no men to vndirtake her defautes.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.321 : He wolde haue pereschede that childe, but that a discrete man was by and seide contrary, excusenge that thynge by the insolence of the childe [Trev.: vnkonnynge of childhode; L insipientiam puerilem].