upstart

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun an arrogant or presumptuous person
noun a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
noun a gymnastic exercise performed starting from a position with the legs over the upper body and moving to an erect position by arching the back and swinging the legs out and down while forcing the chest upright

From Middle English upstarten, upsterten, equivalent to up- + start.

This is an age of upstarts. — Pygmalion, Bernard Shaw
I have quite a horror of upstarts. — Emma, Jane Austen
These upstarts--the Clarks, the Haydocks--had no dignity. — Main Street, Sinclair Lewis

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