impetuosity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the quality of acting suddenly and forcefully without considering the consequences

   His youthful impetuosity led him to accept the challenge before hearing the risks.

2. 2
   noun

   forceful energy, violence, or speed in an action or movement

   The impetuosity of the charge scattered the guards before they could respond.

From impetuous + -ity, influenced by Middle French impetuosite. Impetuous comes from Latin impetuosus, "violent, forceful," from impetus, "attack, force, impulse." Its modern psychological sense shifts that physical rush into sudden action taken without reflection.

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