Crossword clues for impudence
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Impudence \Im"pu*dence\ ([i^]m"p[-u]*dens), n. [L. impudentia: cf. F. impudence. See Impudent.] The quality of being impudent; assurance, accompanied with a disregard of the presence or opinions of others; shamelessness; forwardness; lack of modesty.
Clear truths that their own evidence forces us to
admit, or common experience makes it impudence to deny.
--Locke.
Where pride and impudence (in fashion knit)
Usurp the chair of wit.
--B. Jonson.
Syn: Shamelessness; audacity; insolence; effrontery; sauciness; impertinence; pertness; rudeness.
Usage: Impudence, Effrontery, Sauciness. Impudence refers more especially to the feelings as manifested in action. Effrontery applies to some gross and public exhibition of shamelessness. Sauciness refers to a sudden pert outbreak of impudence, especially from an inferior. Impudence is an unblushing kind of impertinence, and may be manifested in words, tones, gestures, looks, etc. Effrontery rises still higher, and shows a total or shameless disregard of duty or decorum under the circumstances of the case. Sauciness discovers itself toward particular individuals, in certain relations; as in the case of servants who are saucy to their masters, or children who are saucy to their teachers. See Impertinent, and Insolent.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
late 14c., from Latin impudentia "shamelessness," noun of quality from impudens; see impudent.
Wiktionary
n. 1 The quality of being impudent, not showing due respect. 2 Impudent language, conduct or behavior.
WordNet
n. an impudent statement [syn: cheek, impertinence]
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties [syn: crust, gall, impertinence, insolence, cheekiness, freshness]
Usage examples of "impudence".
He asked the Amadan who he was, and what he had done to have the impudence to come there and meet him.
But when the fact was communicated to Peter Hofmeister, the sturdy bailiff swore fifty harsh oaths at the impudence of the knaves, at the carelessness of their keepers, and in honor of the good cause of justice in general.
If such corrupter, therefore, should have the impudence to pretend a real affection for her, ought not the woman to regard him not only as an enemy, but as the worst of all enemies, a false, designing, treacherous, pretended friend, who intends not only to debauch her body, but her understanding at the same time?
Chapter 13 A dialogue between Jones and Partridge The honest lovers of liberty will, we doubt not, pardon that long digression into which we were led at the close of the last chapter, to prevent our history from being applied to the use of the most pernicious doctrine which priestcraft had ever the wickedness or the impudence to preach.
His summons for surrender was a characteristic bit of impudence, as we have seen, not so much on account of the summons itself, as of the threats and other terms of rhodomontade in which it was couched.
He did not quite reach the impudence of sending my would-be assassins, but he sent the other three of his famous Six--the three Ruritanian gentlemen-- Lauengram, Krafstein, and Rupert Hentzau.
Boys, with the whitest teeth she had ever beheld, and flowers above their well-shaped, delicate ears, smiled up at her with engaging impudence.
I shook my head in silent wonder at the astonishing impudence of the man and the girl in Witchwood Hall.
When the fact of impudence was disclosed Adela felt that it was useless to plead.
I have often spent the night rambling about with him, and I was amazed at his cynical boldness and impudence.
I had been brought up from a child never to look at young men when I met them in the street, and never to reply to them when they addressed any impudence to me.
I was thunderstruck at the impudence of the fellow, who, after imposing on me so long, had himself put me in a position to discover his deceit.
They looked three young pages minus their impudence, for though they endeavoured to seem quite at their ease they were rather confused.
Who is this man Dabbs, I wonder, who has the impudence to write to you in this way?
The fellow, who was ugly, blind of one eye, and full of impudence, shewed me a score of pretty women, whose histories he told me, and seeing me to be interested in one of them he promised to bring her to a procuress.