insular
in·su·lar
adj\ˈin(t)-su̇-lər, -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-lər\
Definition of INSULAR
1
a : of, relating to, or constituting an island b : dwelling or situated on an island <insular residents>
2
: characteristic of an isolated people; especially : being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint
3
: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue
— in·su·lar·ism \-lə-ˌri-zəm\ noun
— in·su·lar·i·ty \ˌin(t)-su̇-ˈla-rə-tē, -syu̇-, ˌin-shə-ˈla-\ noun
— in·su·lar·ly \ˈin(t)-su̇-lər-lē, -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-\ adverb
See Examples of INSULAR
- the insular world of boarding schools
- <an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders>
Origin of INSULAR
Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island
First Known Use: 1611
Related to INSULAR
Synonyms: illiberal, narrow, Lilliputian, little, narrow-minded, parochial, petty, picayune, provincial, sectarian, small, small-minded
Related Words: inflexible, ironbound, obdurate, obstinate, rigid, set, stubborn, unyielding, wrongheaded; bigoted, intolerant; biased, discriminating, discriminatory, jaundiced, one-sided, partial, partisan, prejudiced; brass bound, hidebound, old-fashioned, reactionary, stodgy, straitlaced (or straightlaced), stuffy; dogmatic (also dogmatical), opinionated, opinionative; limited; hick, unsophisticated
Other Geology Terms
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