Overdares

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Takes boldness past the point of what is wise, risking more than a situation can reasonably bear
2. Ventures too far in daring behavior, challenging fate or others more recklessly than is sensible
3. Acts with excessive boldness, pushing a risky course further than prudence would allow

Etymology: "Overdares" is the third-person singular present form of "overdare," a verb built from the prefix "over-" and the verb "dare." The prefix means "beyond" or "in excess of," so to overdare someone is to dare them beyond what is reasonable or safe, or to challenge them more boldly than they can manage. "Dare" itself traces back to Old English "durran," and the compound follows the same pattern as older English verbs such as "overdo" and "overrate," where "over-" simply intensifies the base action.