The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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2. Requiring sudden action; pressing; urgent. [Obs.]
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I scarce have leisure to salute you,
My matter is so rash. --Shak.
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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.
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4. Uttered or undertaken with too much haste or too little
reflection; as, rash words; rash measures.
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5. So dry as to fall out of the ear with handling, as corn.
[Prov. Eng.] --Grose.
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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.
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Was never known a more adventurous knight.
--Dryden.
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Her rash hand in evil hour
Forth reaching to the fruit, she plucked, she
eat. --Milton.
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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.
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