emphasis Arrant is used to emphasize that something or someone is very bad in some way. That's arrant nonsense. an arrant coward. = unmitigated. used to emphasize how bad something is (errant)
without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers; "an arrant fool"; "a complete coward"; "a consummate fool"; "a double-dyed villain"; "gross negligence"; "a perfect idiot"; "pure folly"; "what a sodding mess"; "stark staring mad"; "a thoroughgoing villain"; "utter nonsense"
without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers; "an arrant fool"; "a complete coward"; "a consummate fool"; "a double-dyed villain"; "gross negligence"; "a perfect idiot"; "pure folly"; "what a sodding mess"; "stark staring mad"; "a thoroughgoing villain"; "utter nonsense
[ 'ar-&nt ] (adjective.) 1553. Alteration of errant, due to use in phrase “arrant thieves” and “arrant knaves”.OED Originally meaning wandering bandits (errant), the term came to be an intensifier due to its use as an epithet.