I. ˈbrä(ˌ)vō, -rȧ- sometimes -ra- noun
( plural bravos or bravoes -vōz ; also bra·vi -(ˌ)vē)
Etymology: Italian, from bravo, adjective, wild, courageous — more at brave
: villain , desperado , cutthroat
the Renaissance bravo turned religious fanatic — H.J.Laski
especially : a hired assassin
II. “, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ noun
( plural bravos -vōz ; also bra·vi ˈ ̷ ̷(ˌ)vē)
Etymology: Italian, from bravo, adjective, excellent, courageous, wild
: a shout of approval or approbation
frenzied bravos for the tenor
— often used interjectionally in applauding a performance (as of an artist or speaker); sometimes restricted in use to a man; compare brava
III. like bravo II transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to show approbation or admiration of especially by shouts of bravo
a wildly bravoing audience
IV. like bravo I
Usage: usually capitalized
— a communications code word for the letter b