Plural of effrontery; instances of bold, disrespectful, or impudent behavior that shows a lack of shame.
From French 'effronterie', derived from 'effront' with the suffix '-ery' forming nouns of action or condition. Each instance of shameless boldness becomes an 'effrontery.'
Medieval people had a specific word for the insult of someone not lowering their eyes or bowing properly—that evolved into 'effrontery,' which is why we use it for any shocking display of disrespect, like cutting in line or interrupting important people.
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