Flout vs Supercilious - What's the difference?
flout | supercilious |
To express contempt for the rules by word or action.
* 2012 , The Economist, Sep 29th 2012 issue,
To scorn.
* Walton
* Byron
The act by which something is flouted.
* 2012 , John Flowerdew, Discourse in English Language Education (page 97)
Arrogantly superior; showing contemptuous indifference; haughty.
* 2013 May 23, , "
*
As a verb flout
is to express contempt for the rules by word or action.As a noun flout
is the act by which something is flouted.As an adjective supercilious is
arrogantly superior; showing contemptuous indifference; haughty.flout
English
Verb
Tax alchemy: Tech's avoidance
- The manoeuvres of Microsoft and HP appear to comply with the letter of the regulations, even if they flout their spirit.
- Phillida flouts me.
- Three gaudy standards flout the pale blue sky.
Usage notes
* Do not confuse with flaunt.Noun
(en noun)- A flout is when someone deliberately and ostentatiously contravenes a maxim.
supercilious
English
Adjective
(en adjective)British Leader’s Liberal Turn Sets Off a Rebellion in His Party," New York Times (retrieved 29 May 2013):
- Buffeted by criticism of his policy on Europe, battered by rebellion in the ranks over his bill to legalize same-sex marriage and wounded by the perception that he is supercilious , contemptuous and out of touch with mainstream Conservatism, Mr. Cameron earlier this week took the highly unusual step of sending a mass e-mail (or, as he called it, “a personal note”) to his party’s grass-roots members.
- Now he was a sturdy, straw haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner.