Fatuity

/fəˈtuːɪti/ noun

Definition

Extreme foolishness; the quality of being stupid and lacking intelligence or good sense, often while remaining self-assured.

Etymology

From Latin 'fatuitas' (foolishness, from 'fatuus' meaning foolish, insipid), entering English through Old French.

Kelly Says

Fatuity appears frequently in classic literature (especially Jane Austen) to describe characters who are confidently, completely wrong about everything—it's the foolishness of not knowing you're foolish.

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