TEMERITY

PRONUNCIATION: (tuh-MER-i-tee)

MEANING: noun: Excessive or reckless boldness.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin temere (blindly, rashly). Ultimately from the Indo-European root temh-es- (darkness), which also gave us Sanskrit tamas (darkness), German Dämmerung (twilight), and gotterdammerung. Earliest documented use: 1475. The adjectival form is temerarious
._______________________

DEMERITY - reprimandous

TEAMERITY - 1) like excellent Oolong; 2) a portmanteau word: worthy of an award for excellence as a group

TEMERITE - a dark mineral of off-Earth origin