n.
Pronunciation: t ə - ' mer- ə -t ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: 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 danger or opposition : RASHNESS , RECKLESSNESS
2 : an act or instance of temerity
synonyms TEMERITY , AUDACITY , HARDIHOOD , EFFRONTERY , NERVE , CHEEK , GALL , CHUTZPAH mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness. TEMERITY suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger <had the temerity to refuse>. AUDACITY implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence <an entrepreneur with audacity and vision>. HARDIHOOD suggests firmness in daring and defiance <admired for her hardihood >. EFFRONTERY implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy <outraged at his effrontery >. NERVE , CHEEK , GALL and CHUTZPAH are informal equivalents for EFFRONTERY <the nerve of that guy> <has the cheek to call herself a singer> <had the gall to demand proof> <the chutzpah needed for a career in show business>.