Part 96

Syn. -- Indiscreet; injudicious; incautious; ill-advised; unwise; heedless; careless; rash; negligent.

Im*pu"ber*al (m*p"br*al), a. Not having arrived at puberty; immature.

In impuberal animals the cerebellum is, in proportion to the brain proper, greatly less than in adults.

Sir W. Hamilton.

Im*pu"ber*ty (-t), n. The condition of not having reached puberty, or the age of ability to reproduce one's species; want of age at which the marriage contract can be legally entered into.

Im"pu*dence (m"p*dens), n. [L. impudentia: cf. F. impudence. See Impudent.] The quality of being impudent; assurance, accompanied with a disregard of the presence or opinions of others; shamelessness; forwardness; want of modesty.

Clear truths that their own evidence forces us to admit, or common experience makes it impudence to deny.

Locke.

Where pride and impudence (in fashion knit) Usurp the chair of wit.

B. Jonson.

Syn. -- Shamelessness; audacity; insolence; effrontery; sauciness; impertinence; pertness; rudeness. -- Impudence, Effrontery, Sauciness. Impudence refers more especially to the feelings as manifested in action. Effrontery applies to some gross and public exhibition of shamelessness. Sauciness refers to a sudden pert outbreak of impudence, especially from an inferior. Impudence is an unblushing kind of impertinence, and may be manifested in words, tones, gestures, looks, etc. Effrontery rises still higher, and shows a total or shameless disregard of duty or decorum under the circumstances of the case. Sauciness discovers itself toward particular individuals, in certain relations; as in the case of servants who are saucy to their masters, or children who are saucy to their teachers. See Impertinent, and Insolent.

Im"pu*den*cy (?), n. Impudence. [Obs.] Burton.

Audacious without impudency.

Shak.

Im"pu*dent (?), a. [L. impudens, -entis; pref. im- not + pudens ashamed, modest, p. pr. of pudere to feel shame: cf. F. impudent.] Bold, with contempt or disregard; unblushingly forward; impertinent; wanting modesty; shameless; saucy.

More than impudent sauciness.

Shak.

When we behold an angel, not to fear Is to be impudent.

Dryden.

Syn. -- Shameless; audacious; brazen; bold-faced; pert; immodest; rude; saucy; impertinent; insolent.

Im"pu*dent*ly, adv. In an impudent manner; with unbecoming assurance; shamelessly.

At once assail With open mouths, and impudently rail.

Sandys.

Im`pu*dic"i*ty (?), n. [L. impudicus immodest; im- not + pudicus shamefaced, modest: cf. F. impudicité, L. impudicitia.] Immodesty. Sheldon.

Im*pugn" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impugned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impugning.] [OE. impugnen, F. impugner, fr. L. impugnare; in on, against + pugnare to flight. See Pugnacious.] To attack by words or arguments; to contradict; to assail; to call in question; to make insinuations against; to gainsay; to oppose.

The truth hereof I will not rashly impugn, or overboldly affirm.

Peacham.

Im*pugn"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being impugned; that may be gainsaid.