Parochial vs Insular - What's the difference?
parochial | insular |
Pertaining to a parish.
Characterized by an unsophisticated focus on local concerns to the exclusion of wider contexts; elementary in scope or outlook.
* 1918 , 1st of February, "
* 1969 , : A History of the Scottish People 1560-1830 , p 341:
Of, pertaining to, being, or resembling an island or islands.
* 1836 , , Astoria , ch. 6:
Situated on an island.
* 1851 , , Moby-Dick , ch. 1:
Separate or isolated from the surroundings; having little interaction with external parties; provincial.
* 1903 , , Call of the Wild , ch. 1:
Having an inward-looking, standoffish, or withdrawn manner.
* 1905 , , Where Angels Fear to Tread , ch. 6:
Relating to the insula in the brain.
As adjectives the difference between parochial and insular
is that parochial is pertaining to a parish while insular is of, pertaining to, being, or resembling an island or islands.As a noun insular is
an islander.parochial
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- The use of simple, primary colors in the painting gave it a parochial feel .
- Some people in the United States have been accused of taking a parochial view, of not being interested in international matters.
- But for men of principle and honour and straightforward thought there could be no middle course and no paltering with petty issues of party or parochial advantage.
- Its atmosphere might have been provincial, but it was never merely parochial .
insular
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- 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.
- There now is your insular city of the Manhattoes, belted round by wharves as Indian isles by coral reefs.
- [H]e had a fine pride in himself, was even a trifle egotistical, as country gentlemen sometimes become because of their insular situation.
- Harriet was fretful and insular . Miss Abbott was pleasant, and insisted on praising everything.