mettle
noun/ˈmɛtəl/
Etymology
From figurative use of metal (since 16th century). The two spellings were originally interchangeable variants, but came to be distinguished by sense in the 18th century.
Definitions
A quality of courage and endurance.
- By this Day and this Light, the fellow ha's mettell enough in his belly.
- Please read on and discover the issues in education that test the mettle of those who experience this world every day.
- He was presently in as active circulation, on the campus and elsewhere, as ever. The few who looked after him at all came to the view that he possessed more mettle than stamina.
Good temperament and character.
- Your Maſter quits you: and for your ſeruice done him, / So much againſt the mettle of your ſex
- The arrival of this unexpected heir soon taking wind in the court, still makes good for the Sol, and keeps the court upon its mettle.
Obsolete spelling of metal (“metallic substance”).
›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer
Spirited, vigorous, stout-hearted.
- And then one afternoon in the hinder end of April came young Heriotside riding to the Skerburnfoot. His arm was healed, he had got him a fine new suit of green, and his horse was a mettle beast that well set off his figure.
The neighborhood
Derived
Vish — recursive loop
No curated loop yet for mettle. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.
sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA