a. [f. L. audāc(i-, nom. andax, bold, daring, f. audēre to dare: see -ACIOUS. Cf. F. audacieux, Cotgr., 1611.]
1. Daring, bold, confident, intrepid.
1550. Nicolls, Thucydides, II. cvi. 67. More bolde and audacious in this thing, wherein we have much experyence.
1698. Dryden, Ovid’s Iphis (T.). Big was her voice, audacious was her tone:—The maid becomes a youth.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 436, ¶ 9. Miller had an audacious Look, that took the Eye.
1826. Scott, Woodst. (1832), 178. All eyes turned to the audacious speaker.
b. transferred to things.
1609. B. Jonson, Sil. Wom., II. v. My Wife must be accomplished with courtly and audacious Ornaments.
1855. Motley, Dutch Rep., I. i. (1866), 51. The audacious and exquisitely embroidered tower of the townhouse.
2. Unrestrained by, or setting at defiance, the principles of decorum and morality; presumptuously wicked, impudent, shameless.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., III. i. 14. Such is thy audacious wickednesse.
1612. Warner, Alb. Eng., I. i. 2. As he and his audacious crew, the Tower of Babel reare.
1649. Milton, Observ. Art. Peace, Wks. 1738, I. 357. But we are told, We embrace Paganism and Judaism in the arms of Toleration. A most audacious calumny!
1722. De Foe, Moll Fl. (1840), 286. I grew more hardened and audacious than ever.
1825. J. Neal, Bro. Jonathan, II. 259. Like an audacious profligate, as he was.
† 3. Inspiring boldness. Obs. rare.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Wom. Prize, II. v. (T.). They have got metheglin, and audacious ale, And talk like tyrants!
