ˈfȯ(r)d.əˌtüd, -)təˌ-, -ə.ˌtyüd noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin fortitudo, from fortis strong + -tudo -tude — more at fort
1. obsolete : strength , impregnability
the fortitude of the place is best known to you — Shakespeare
2. : the strength or firmness of mind that enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression, or despondency : passive courage : resolute endurance
had borne her mother's death … with quiet fortitude — Ellen Glasgow
the temporary fortitude they had gained from the jug — Irwin Shaw
Synonyms:
grit , backbone , pluck , guts , sand. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, the following distinctions may be made: fortitude usually indicates blended resolute courage, firm behavior, and power of prolonged endurance under duress
a life of unremitting physical toil and mental anxiety combined with miserable health … no small test of fortitude — John Buchan
deepest admiration of Welch's fortitude and indomitable spirit during these months when he was slowly dying of cancer — Eleanor M. Sickels
grit usually blends strength, mental firmness, and a hard or indomitable endurance of deprivation or distress
the foot soldier will still have to advance against strongly entrenched and fanatical troops, through sheer grit and fighting skill — H.S.Truman
backbone may indicate resolute ability and determined independence in confronting opposition or difficulty without quailing
the man's backbone and perseverance did not fail him once in all the years of poverty and discouragement
like conscience-stricken dogs they lost backbone, and visibly were in a condition to submit to anything — Kenneth Roberts
pluck usually applies to game stoutheartedness in the face of danger or willingness to continue fighting against odds
the energy, fortitude, and dogged perseverance that we technically style pluck — E.G.Bulwer-Lytton
what indomitable courage he had, how fearless he was in the midst of danger, how keen and wary in his dealing with an enemy, and how full of resources and pluck when difficulties arose — H.E.Scudder
guts , usually forceful and sometimes considered vulgar, indicates vigorous stamina in confronting and coping with what alarms, repels, discourages, or enervates
he could tell by the set of Bill's mouth that sheer guts was all that kept him hanging to that bull's head now — F.B.Gipson
what bothered him was not the superzealot attackers so much as the lack of plain old-fashioned guts on the part of the people who give in to them — Elmer Davis
sand is a close synonym of grit , occasionally somewhat weaker in its implications
a fine personality, the teacher type; needs more sand in his blood; inclined to be apologetic — H.H.Arnold & I.C.Eaker