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.

Noun

(en noun)

an artificial obstruction, such as a dam, in a river designed to increase its depth or to divert its flow

a heavy curtain of artillery fire directed in front of one's own troops to screen and protect them ()

a concentrated discharge of projectile weapons

* {{quote-book, year=2006, author=

, title=Internal Combustion , chapter=1 citation , passage=Blast after blast, fiery outbreak after fiery outbreak, like a flaming barrage from within,

(by extension) an overwhelming outburst of words, especially of criticism

(fencing) A "next hit wins" contest to determine the winner of a bout in case of a tie.