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.
Usage: {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}.