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Insolence vs Petulance - What's the difference?

insolence | petulance |

As nouns the difference between insolence and petulance

is that insolence is arrogant conduct; insulting, bold behaviour or attitude while petulance is the property of being petulant.

As a verb insolence

is (obsolete) to insult.

insolence

English

Noun

  • Arrogant conduct; insulting, bold behaviour or attitude.
  • * 5th century BCE, ,
    • Wit is well-bred insolence .
  • Insolent conduct or treatment; insult.
  • * Fuller
    • Loaded with fetters and insolences from the soldiers.
  • (obsolete) The quality of being unusual or novel.
    • (Spenser)

    Derived terms

    * insolency

    Verb

    (insolenc)
  • (obsolete) To insult.
    • (Eikon Basilike)

    Anagrams

    * ----

    petulance

    English

    Noun

  • The property of being petulant.
  • * Clarendon
    • Like pride in some, and like petulance in others.
  • * Cowper
    • The lowering eye, the petulance , the frown.
  • * 1857 , , Volume the Second, page 29 (ISBN 1857150570)
    • She had not done this, but had shown herself angry and sore, and was now ashamed of her own petulance , and yet unable to discontinue it.