- temerity
- UK [təˈmerətɪ] / US
noun [uncountable] formal
the confidence to do or say something, especially when this seems rude or surprising
She wondered how she'd had the temerity to stand up to him that morning.
English dictionary. 2014.
temerity
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Temerity — Te*mer i*ty, n. [L. temeritas, from temere by chance, rashly; perhaps akin to Skr. tamas darkness: cf. F. t[ e]m[ e]rit[ e].] Unreasonable contempt of danger; extreme venturesomeness; rashness; as, the temerity of a commander in war. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
temerity — temerity, audacity, hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall are comparable when they mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness (as in speech, behavior, or action). Temerity usually implies contempt of danger and consequent rashness; often it… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
temerity — [tə mer′ə tē] n. [ME temeryte < L temeritas < temere, rashly, blindly < IE base * tem , dark > OS thimm, dark, L tenebrae, darkness] foolish or rash boldness; foolhardiness; recklessness SYN. TEMERITY refers to a rashness or foolish… … English World dictionary
temerity — I noun audacity, boldness, carelessness, daring, effrontery, fool hardiness, foolishness, gall, hastiness, heedlessness, impetuosity, improvidence, imprudence, impudence, incautiousness, inconsiderateness, indiscretion, injudiciousness, nerve,… … Law dictionary
temerity — early 15c., from M.Fr. témérité (15c.), from L. temeritatem (nom. temeritas) blind chance, accident, rashness, from temere by chance, blindly, casually, rashly, related to tenebrae darkness, from PIE root *temes dark (Cf. Skt. tamas darkness,… … Etymology dictionary
temerity — [n] nerve, audacity assurance, boldness, brass*, carelessness, daring, effrontery, foolhardiness, forwardness, gall, hardihood, hastiness, heedlessness, impertinence, impetuosity, imprudence, impudence, impulsiveness, indiscretion, intrepidity,… … New thesaurus
temerity — ► NOUN ▪ excessive confidence or boldness. ORIGIN Latin temeritas, from temere rashly … English terms dictionary
temerity — noun (plural ties) Etymology: Middle English temeryte, from Latin temeritas, from temere blindly, recklessly; akin to Old High German demar darkness, Latin tenebrae, Sanskrit tamas Date: 15th century 1. unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of… … New Collegiate Dictionary
temerity — n. the temerity to + inf. (he had the temerity to file a grievance) * * * [tɪ merɪtɪ] the temerity to + inf. (he had the temerity to file a grievance) … Combinatory dictionary
temerity — noun I doubt they ll have the temerity to print these accusations Syn: audacity, nerve, effrontery, impudence, impertinence, cheek, gall, presumption; daring; informal face, front, neck, chutzpah •• temerity, audacity, effrontery, foolhardiness,… … Thesaurus of popular words
temerity — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. rashness, boldness, audacity, recklessness, daring, nerve, gall, brass (sl.), cheek (sl.). II (Roget s IV) n. Syn. audacity, effrontery, boldness, hardihood, rashness, presumption, overconfidence,… … English dictionary for students
