▪ I. temerity
(tɪˈmɛrɪtɪ)
Forms: 5 -yte, 6 -ite, -atie, 6–7 -itie, 6– -ity, (6–7 timeritie, 7 -ity).
[ad. L. temeritās, -tātem, rashness, f. temere adv. by chance, blindly: see -ity. So F. témérité (15th c. in Godef. Compl.).]
1. Excessive boldness; rashness; foolhardiness, recklessness.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) III. 467 Infancy ioyethe in simplicite, yowthe in temeryte [temeritate [gaudet] juventus], age in debilite. 1551 Bp. Gardiner Explic. True Cath. Faith 20 b, To auoyde the temerite of deniyng (as neuer) or affirmyng (as euer) which be extremities. 1598 R. Barckley Felic. Man vi. (1603) 595 Fortitude referred to any other thing, then to godliness, falleth into temeritie or rashness. 1656 Stanley Hist. Philos. viii. (1701) 336/2 Affirming, that they have done wickedly, is not to be attributed to their timerity, but to Fate. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 19 ¶9 Marlborough might have been made to repent his temerity at Blenheim. 1803 H. Repton Landscape Gard. (1805) 33 There is..no more temerity in marking trees to be taken down than those to be planted. 1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockm. 80 Mr. Denison's temerity was justified by his success. |
b. with a and pl. An act or instance of rashness.
| a 1677 Barrow Serm. Titus iii 2 Wks. 1687 I. 237 Among all temerities this is one of the most noxious. 1847 Lewes Hist. Philos. Introd. (1857) 33 The unhesitating temerities of Plato and Plotinus. |
† 2. Chance, fortuity: cf. temerarious 2. Obs.
| 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. iii. §23. 168 Although there be not the least appearance of fortuitousness or temerity in it. Ibid. iv. §24. 415 Of all things..most opposite to Chance, Fortune, and Temerity. |
▪ II. temerity, -itie
var. timerity Obs., timidity.