Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Courage

Cour′age

(kŭr′ā̍j; 48)
,
Noun.
[OE.
corage
heart, mind, will, courage, OF.
corage
, F.
courage
, fr. a LL. derivative of L.
cor
heart. See
Heart
.]
1.
The heart; spirit; temper; disposition.
[Obs.]
So priketh hem nature in here
corages
.
Chaucer.
My lord, cheer up your spirits; our foes are nigh,
and this soft
courage
makes your followers faint.
Shakespeare
2.
Heart; inclination; desire; will.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
I’d such a
courage
to do him good.
Shakespeare
3.
That quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear, or fainting of heart; valor; boldness; resolution.
The king-becoming graces . . .
Devotion, patience,
courage
, fortitude,
I have no relish of them.
Shakespeare
Syn. – Heroism; bravery; intrepidity; valor; gallantry; daring; firmness; hardihood; boldness; dauntlessness; resolution.
See
Heroism
. –
Courage
,
Bravery
,
Fortitude
,
Intrepidity
,
Gallantry
,
Valor
. Courage is that firmness of spirit and swell of soul which meets danger without fear. Bravery is daring and impetuous courage, like that of one who has the reward continually in view, and displays his courage in daring acts. Fortitude has often been styled “passive courage,” and consist in the habit of encountering danger and enduring pain with a steadfast and unbroken spirit. Valor is courage exhibited in war, and can not be applied to single combats; it is never used figuratively. Intrepidity is firm, unshaken courage. Gallantry is adventurous courage, which courts danger with a high and cheerful spirit. A man may show courage, fortitude, or intrepidity in the common pursuits of life, as well as in war. Valor, bravery, and gallantry are displayed in the contest of arms. Valor belongs only to battle; bravery may be shown in single combat; gallantry may be manifested either in attack or defense; but in the latter case, the defense is usually turned into an attack.

Cour′age

,
Verb.
T.
To inspire with courage; to encourage.
[Obs.]
Paul writeth unto Timothy . . . to
courage
him.
Tyndale.

Webster 1828 Edition


Courage

COURAGE

,
Noun.
[L., the heart.] Bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. It is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering.
Courage that grows from constitution, often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it; courage which arises from a sense of duty, acts in a uniform manner.
Be strong and of good courage. Deuteronomy 31.