overboldness

English

Etymology

From Middle English overboldnesse, equivalent to over- +‎ boldness, after overbold.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əʊvəˈbəʊldnəs/

Noun

overboldness (uncountable)

1. The state or fact of being too bold; audacity.
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 31, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:

     nothing did him so much good toward the people (to whom he appealed) to make him obtain his suite, as the sharpnes and over boldnes which Cæsar had declared in that judgement.

   • 1999 December 19, Simon Caulkin, The Observer:

     Contrary to accepted wisdom, the qualities usually thought of as entrepreneurial - risk-taking, breakthrough creativity, foresight, grand ambition, power and administrative abilities - are all secondary. Indeed, over-boldness may be a handicap.