insipient, a. and n.
(ɪnˈsɪpɪənt)
Also 6 erron. inscip-, incip-, incypyent.
[ad. L. insipient-em, f. in- (in-3) + sapient-em wise, sapient.]
A. adj. Void of wisdom; unwise, foolish. ? Obs. (Now mostly, or wholly, disused to avoid confusion with incipient.)
| 1528 Roy Rede Me (Arb.) 97 Braynles and insipient. 1547 Boorde Brev. Health Pref. 2 Fooles and incipient persons. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 186, I should not only shew my selfe foolish and insipient, but also saucie. 1647 Clarendon Contempl. Tracts (1727) 507 There are very learned men who distinguish and put a great difference between the insipient man and the fool. 1811 Henry & Isabella I. 246 The insipient fears of a timid mind. |
† B. n. An unwise or foolish person. Obs.
| 1494 Fabyan Chron. vii. 551 Where the Chylde or insypient drynkyth the swete and delycious wordis unauysydly. 1533 Frith Answ. More (1829) 162 It will go nigh to prove him an insipient, for granting that there is a purgatory. 1633 Earl of Manchester Al Mondo (1636) 86 There be certaine Subsapients so worldly wise, as they thinke all other men insipients. |
Hence † inˈsipiently adv., unwisely, foolishly.
| 1536 Boorde Let. to Cromwell 1 Apr. in Introd. Knowl. (1870) Forewords 52 They wolde cause me wrett full incypyently to þe prior of london. 1550 Bale Apol. 61 Neyther was Gods servyce therby lefte nor defrauded, as yow insippently write. |