Temerity

/tɪˈmɛɹ.ɪ.ti/ · noun

Meaning

(uncountable) Reckless boldness; foolish bravery..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) Reckless boldness; foolish bravery.
2. (countable) An act or case of reckless boldness.
3. (uncountable) Effrontery; impudence.

Example Sentences

1569, Thomas Pearson, trans., "The Second Paradox," in The booke of Marcus Tullius Cicero entituled Paradoxa Stoicorum, T. Marshe (London), Neyther the spightfull temerity and rashnes of variable fortune, nor the envious hart burning and in iurious hatred of mine enemies shold be able once to damnify me.

Jewan Sadit, who ſtood before the prince, obſerving his youthful temerity, threw himſelf between him and danger, and with a nervous arm, wielding a ſharp ſabre, of the hard tempered ſteel of Damiſk, ruſhing upon the tyger, he ſtruck him acroſs the forehead.

One day when he knew old Lobbs was out, Nathaniel Pipkin had the temerity to kiss his hand to Maria Lobbs.

Elizabeth trotted through the open door in the dusk, but becoming alarmed at her own temerity, she went quickly out again by another which stood open in the lofty wall of the back court.

Terror seized me, a horror of my temerity.

I am surprised that you, sir, a man of letters yourself, should have the temerity so to interrupt the progress of science.

Draper, dear lad, had the illusion of an "intellectual sympathy" between them.... Draper's temerities would always be of that kind.

He had very nearly been guilty of the temerity of arrogating to himself another title in the presence of those he most respected.

Synonyms for temerity

Antonyms for temerity

Related Words

Word Forms

• temerities
• timerity

Usage Notes

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