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Insular vs Recluse - What's the difference?

insular | recluse |

As adjectives the difference between insular and recluse

is that insular is of, pertaining to, being, or resembling an island or islands while recluse is (now rare ) sequestered; secluded, isolated.

As nouns the difference between insular and recluse

is that insular is an islander while recluse is a person who lives in self-imposed isolation or seclusion from the world, especially for religious purposes; a hermit.

As a verb recluse is

(obsolete) to shut; to seclude.

insular

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of, pertaining to, being, or resembling an island or islands.
  • * 1836 , , Astoria , ch. 6:
    • With these he held undisputed sway over his insular domains, and carried on intercourse with the chiefs or governors whom he had placed in command of the several islands.
  • Situated on an island.
  • * 1851 , , Moby-Dick , ch. 1:
    • There now is your insular city of the Manhattoes, belted round by wharves as Indian isles by coral reefs.
  • Separate or isolated from the surroundings; having little interaction with external parties; provincial.
  • * 1903 , , Call of the Wild , ch. 1:
    • [H]e had a fine pride in himself, was even a trifle egotistical, as country gentlemen sometimes become because of their insular situation.
  • Having an inward-looking, standoffish, or withdrawn manner.
  • * 1905 , , Where Angels Fear to Tread , ch. 6:
    • Harriet was fretful and insular . Miss Abbott was pleasant, and insisted on praising everything.
  • Relating to the insula in the brain.

    • Related terms

    * insulate * insulator * insulation * insularism * isolate * isolation * isolator * peninsula

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An islander.
    • (Berkeley)

    External links

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    recluse

    English

    (wikipedia recluse)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (now rare ) Sequestered; secluded, isolated.
    • a recluse monk or hermit
  • * J. Philips
    • In meditation deep, recluse / From human converse.
  • (now rare ) Hidden, secret.

    • Synonyms

    * reclusive

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person who lives in self-imposed isolation or seclusion from the world, especially for religious purposes; a hermit.
  • (obsolete) The place where a recluse dwells; a place of isolation or seclusion.
    • (Foxe)
  • (US) A brown recluse spider.

    • Synonyms

    anchorite, eremite, hermit * See also

    Derived terms

    * brown recluse * recluse spider

    Verb

    (reclus)
  • (obsolete) To shut; to seclude.
    • ----