In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed coffee stimulated radical thinking and outlawed the drink. In 1524, the leaders overturned that order, and people could drink coffee again.
TEMERITY
audacity, audaciousness, temerity
(noun) fearless daring
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
temerity (countable and uncountable, plural temerities)
(uncountable) Reckless boldness; foolish bravery.
Synonyms: audacity, foolhardiness, rashness, recklessness
(countable) An act or case of reckless boldness.
(uncountable) Effrontery; impudence.
Synonyms: brashness, cheek, gall, chutzpah
Source: Wiktionary
Te*mer"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. temeritas, from temere by chance, rashly; perhaps akin to Skr. tamas darkness: cf. F. témérité.]
Definition: Unreasonable contempt of danger; extreme venturesomeness; rashness; as, the temerity of a commander in war.
Syn.
– Rashness; precipitancy; heedlessness; venturesomeness.
– Temerity, Rashness. These words are closely allied in sense, but have a slight difference in their use and application. Temerity is Latin, and rashness is Anglo-Saxon. As in many such cases, the Latin term is more select and dignified; the Anglo-Saxon more familiar and energetic. We show temerity in hasty decisions, and the conduct to which they lead. We show rashness in particular actions, as dictated by sudden impulse. It is an exhibition of temerity to approach the verge of a precipice; it is an act of rashness to jump into a river without being able to swim. Temerity, then, is an unreasonable contempt of danger; rashness is a rushing into danger from thoughtlessness or excited feeling. It is notorious temerity to pass sentence upon grounds uncapable of evidence. Barrow. Her rush hand in evil hour Forth reaching to the fruit, she plucked, she eat. Milton.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
21 May 2024
FUDGE
(verb) tamper, with the purpose of deception; “Fudge the figures”; “cook the books”; “falsify the data”
Coffee Trivia
