In"sult (?), n. [L. insultus, fr. insilire to leap upon: cf. F. insulte. See Insult, v. t.]
1.
The act of leaping on; onset; attack.
[Obs.]
Dryden.
2.
Gross abuse offered to another, either by word or act; an act or speech of insolence or contempt; an affront; an indignity.
The ruthless sneer that insult adds to grief.
Savage.
Syn. -- Affront; indignity; abuse; outrage; contumely. See Affront.
© Webster 1913.
In*sult" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insulted; p. pr. & vb. n. Insulting.] [F. insulter, L. insultare, freq. fr. insilire to leap into or upon; pref. in- in, on + salire to leap. See Salient.]
1.
To leap or trample upon; to make a sudden onset upon.
[Obs.]
Shak.
2.
To treat with abuse, insolence, indignity, or contempt, by word or action; to abuse; as, to call a man a coward or a liar, or to sneer at him, is to insult him.
© Webster 1913.
In*sult", v. i.
1.
To leap or jump.
Give me thy knife, I will insult on him.
Shak.
Like the frogs in the apologue, insulting upon their wooden king.
Jer. Taylor.
2.
To behave with insolence; to exult.
[Archaic]
The lion being dead, even hares insult.
Daniel.
An unwillingness to insult over their helpless fatuity.
Landor.
© Webster 1913.