outrecuidance

English

Etymology

From Old French outrecuidance (whence modern French outrecuidance), from outre + cuidier (“think”), from Latin cogitare.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /uːtəˈkwiːdəns/ (or as French, below)

Noun

outrecuidance (uncountable)

1. (archaic) Presumption, arrogance, self-conceit.
   • 1819, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe:

     “It is full time,” said De Bracy, “that the outrecuidance of these peasants should be restrained by some striking example.”

   • 1897, Rudyard Kipling, .007:

     “But, with my constitution and temperament - my work lies in Boston - I find your outrecuidance -"

French

Etymology

From Old French, from outre + cuidier (“think”), from Latin cogitare.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /u.tʁə.kɥi.dɑ̃s/

• Audio

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɑ̃s

Noun

outrecuidance f (plural outrecuidances)

1. presumptuousness, impertinence

Further reading

• “outrecuidance”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.