From Latin 'audāx' (daring), from 'audēre' (to dare) — literally 'the quality of daring,' balanced between boldness and impertinence.
The willingness to take bold risks; rude or disrespectful behavior.
From Middle French 'audacité' (boldness, daring), from Latin 'audācitātem' (nominative 'audācitās,' boldness, daring, insolence), from 'audāx' (bold, daring, reckless, presumptuous), derived from 'audēre' (to dare, to be bold, to venture). The etymology of 'audēre' is revealing: it was originally an inchoative compound of 'avidus' (eager, desirous) — from PIE *h₂ewd- or *h₂ewid- (to desire eagerly) — plus the inchoative suffix '-ēre.' Audacity is therefore etymologically the state of 'being about to want something very much,' the
'Audacity' and 'audio' share an unexpected connection. Both trace to Latin roots with the sense of 'eagerness' — 'audēre' (to dare) and 'audīre' (to hear) may both connect to PIE roots involving keen, eager attention. The audacious person dares; the audience listens eagerly. Both involve leaning