ˈkər.]ij, ˈkə.r], ]ēj\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English corage, from Old French corage, curage, from cuer heart (from Latin cor ) + -age — more at heart
1. obsolete : the heart as the seat of intelligence or feeling
this soft courage makes your followers faint — Shakespeare
2. obsolete : inclination , intention
I'd such a courage to do him good — Shakespeare
3. obsolete : a proud and angry temper : high spirit
4. : mental or moral strength enabling one to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty firmly and resolutely
I would define true courage to be a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger and a mental willingness to endure it — W.T.Sherman
5. : confidence that encourages and sustains
a courage resting on God — Daniel Defoe
the courage of his convictions
Synonyms:
mettle , spirit , resolution , tenacity : courage is the firmness of spirit that faces danger or extreme difficulty without flinching or retreating
courage to fight for our ideals although we are certain they shall never be realized — Paul Eldridge
courage to act on limited knowledge, courage to make the best of what is here and not whine for more — Robert Frost
mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty without fear or with fortitude and resilience of spirit or mind
difficulties calculated to test the mettle of even the bravest men
showed his mettle in two strenuous European campaigns
spirit , like mettle in suggesting a quality of temperament, implies an ability to hold one's own, fight for one's principles, or keep up one's morale when opposed, interfered with, or checked
to show his spirit by fighting to the last ditch
a man of considerable spirit standing virtually alone in defense of his rights as a citizen
resolution , like courage , implies firmness of spirit but puts stress upon determination to achieve one's end rather than upon the facing of danger without flinching
she sat for twenty minutes or more ere she could summon resolution to go down to the door, her courage being lowered to zero by her physical lassitude — Thomas Hardy
a man of a strong resolution and a set purpose; a man not desirable to be met rushing down a narrow pass with a gulf on either side, for nothing would turn the man — Charles Dickens
tenacity adds to resolution the idea of stubborn persistence or unwillingness to recognize defeat
all his convictions were strong and he held them with an unswerving tenacity — F.T.Persons
the roots insinuate themselves into the rocks with such demoniac tenacity that only dynamite will dislodge them permanently — Norman Douglas