insulting
UK[ɪnˈsʌltɪŋ]US[ɪnˈsʌltɪŋ]
adj
rude or offensive; causing someone to feel offended or disrespected.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
sult
ing
in
on, upon
sult
leap
ing
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word "insulting" originates from the latin verb insultare, meaning "to leap upon, assail, scoff at". this verb itself is a compound of in- ("upon") and saltare (frequentative of salire, "to leap"). the literal image is of physically jumping on someone, which evolved metaphorically to signify a verbal attack or affront. entering english via french in the 16th century, the present participle form "insulting" came to function as an adjective describing speech or behavior that figuratively "leaps upon" or attacks a person's dignity, thus causing offense.
Analysis
Structure: in (on, upon) + sult (leap) + ing (adjective suffix)
- in: from latin prefix in-, meaning "on, upon, against".
- sult: from latin root -sult- (a variant of -sil-), from the verb salire, meaning "to leap".
- ing: from old english suffix -ende (present participle) and -ing, used to form adjectives from verbs.
Examples
his insulting remarks caused a great deal of anger in the room.
it would be insulting to offer such a low salary for that level of expertise.
she found his tone deeply insulting and decided to end the conversation.