Rashest

Rash Rash, a. [Compar. {Rasher} (-[~e]r); superl. {Rashest}.] [Probably of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw. rask quick, brisk, rash, Icel. r["o]skr vigorous, brave, akin to D. & G. rasch quick, of uncertain origin.] 1. Sudden in action; quick; hasty. [Obs.] ``Strong as aconitum or rash gunpowder.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. Requiring sudden action; pressing; urgent. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

I scarce have leisure to salute you, My matter is so rash. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Esp., overhasty in counsel or action; precipitate; resolving or entering on a project or measure without due deliberation and caution; opposed to prudent; said of persons; as, a rash statesman or commander. [1913 Webster]

4. Uttered or undertaken with too much haste or too little reflection; as, rash words; rash measures. [1913 Webster]

5. So dry as to fall out of the ear with handling, as corn. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Precipitate; headlong; headstrong; foolhardy; hasty; indiscreet; heedless; thoughtless; incautious; careless; inconsiderate; unwary.

Usage: {Rash}, {Adventurous}, {Foolhardy}. A man is adventurous who incurs risk or hazard from a love of the arduous and the bold. A man is rash who does it from the mere impulse of his feelings, without counting the cost. A man is foolhardy who throws himself into danger in disregard or defiance of the consequences. [1913 Webster]

Was never known a more adventurous knight. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

Her rash hand in evil hour Forth reaching to the fruit, she plucked, she eat. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

If any yet be so foolhardy To expose themselves to vain jeopardy; If they come wounded off, and lame, No honor's got by such a maim. --Hudibras. [1913 Webster]