courage

Definition

The quality of being confident, not afraid or easily intimidated, but without being incautious or inconsiderate.

Etymology

From Middle English corage, from Old French corage (French courage), from Vulgar Latin *corāticum, from Latin cor (“heart”). Distantly related to cardiac (“of the heart”), which is from Greek, but from the same Proto-Indo-European root. Displaced Middle English elne, ellen, from Old English ellen (“courage, valor”).

Example Sentences

• "A great part of courage is the courage of having done the thing before."
• "There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me."
• "It takes a lot of courage to be successful in business."

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