[au.da.cious] adj [MF audacieux, fr. audace boldness, fr. L audacia, fr. audac-, audax bold, fr. audere to dare, fr. avidus eager--more at avid] (1550) 1 a: intrepidly daring: adventurous "an ~ mountain climber" b: recklessly bold: rash
2: contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum: insolent
3: marked by originality and verve -- au.da.cious.ly adv -- au.da.cious.ness n