Noun

(-)

The quality of being impudent, not showing due respect.

Impudent language, conduct or behavior.

*

, title=The Mirror and the Lamp , chapter=2 citation , passage=That the young Mr. Churchills liked—but they did not like him coming round of an evening and drinking weak whisky-and-water while he held forth on railway debentures and corporation loans. Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery, seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired. And if the arts of humbleness failed him, he overcame you by sheer impudence .}}

Noun

(not countable) Reckless boldness; foolish bravery.

* 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.

* 1837 , , The Pickwick Papers , ch. 17,

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

* 1886 , , The Mayor of Casterbridge , ch. 21

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.

* 1913 , , The Return of Tarzan , ch. 21,

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

(countable) An act or case of reckless boldness.

* 1910 , , "The Blond Beast," Scribner's Magazine , vol. 48 (Sept),

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

(not countable) Effrontery; impudence.

* 1820 , , Precaution , ch. 30,

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