Etymology of the English word insult
the English word
insultderived from the Latin word
insultare (insult; behave insultingly, mock; leap, jump, spring)
using the Latin prefix
in- (suffix for no)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*ne (not)
derived from the Latin word
saltare (dance, jump; portray or represent in a dance)
derived from the Latin word
saltumderived from the Latin word
salire (leap, jump; move suddenly; salt, salt down, preserve with salt; spurt, discharge, be ejected under force)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*sel-Date
The earliest known usage of insult in English dates from the 16th century.
Derivations in English
insulting,
insultedCognates
French
insulter, German
insultieren, Italian
insultare, Latin
insultareUsage
Word found in Modern English
