indignant, a. (n.)
(ɪnˈdɪgnənt)
[ad. L. indignānt-em, pres. pple. of indignā-rī to regard as unworthy, to be indignant at, f. indignus unworthy: see indign a. and v.]
Affected with indignation; provoked to wrath by something regarded as unworthy, unjust, or ungrateful; moved by an emotion of anger mingled with scorn or contempt; ‘inflamed at once with anger and disdain’ (J.). Said of persons, their feelings, etc.; also fig. of things.
| 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. v. 23 Full of fiers fury and indignant hate To him he turned. 1667 Milton P.L. x. 311 Xerxes..Europe with Asia joyn'd; And scourg'd with many a stroak th' indignant waves. a 1735 Arbuthnot & Pope (J.), The lustful monster fled, pursued by the valorous and indignant Martin. 1770 Goldsm. Des. Vill. 282 His seat..Indignant spurns the cottage from the green. 1782 Cowper Boadicea i, When the British warrior queen, Bleeding from the Roman rods, Sought, with an indignant mien, Counsel of her country's gods. 1870 Dickens E. Drood viii, He feels indignant that Helena's brother should dispose of him so coolly. 1880 C. R. Markham Peruv. Bark 45 He published an indignant pamphlet on the subject of his wrongs. |
b. Const. at; with (a person); † of (a thing).
| 1728–46 Thomson Spring 435 And flies aloft, and flounces round the pool, Indignant of the guile. 1797 Mrs. Radcliffe Italian ii. (1826) 16 Indignant at the slander which affected her name. 1805 A. Seward Lett. (1811) VI. 234, I was too indignant of his cruel neglect of Chatterton. 1858 Dickens Lett. (1880) II. 64 Our men are rather indignant with the Irish crowds. 1858 Buckle Civiliz. (1873) II. viii. 553 The clergy, indignant at such proceedings, murmured and even threatened. |
B. n. An indignant person. rare.
| 1861 Sat. Rev. XII. 584/1 These three sets of people—the indignants themselves [etc.]. |