courage

[kur-ij, kuhr-]

noun

the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
Obsolete. the heart as the source of emotion.

Idioms

have the courage of one's convictions, to act in accordance with one's beliefs, especially in spite of criticism.

Origin of courage

1250–1300; Middle English corage < Old French, equivalent to cuer heart (< Latin cor; see heart) + -age -age

Synonyms for courage

1. fearlessness, dauntlessness, intrepidity, pluck, spirit.

Synonym study

1. Courage, bravery, valor, bravado refer to qualities of spirit and conduct. Courage permits one to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear: to take (or lose) courage. Bravery implies true courage with daring and an intrepid boldness: bravery in a battle. Valor implies heroic courage: valor in fighting for the right. Bravado is now usually a boastful and ostentatious pretense of courage or bravery: empty bravado.

Antonyms for courage

1. cowardice.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for courages

fearlessness, spunk, grit, daring, endurance, tenacity, audacity, heroism, determination, firmness, prowess, valor, fortitude, spirit, bravery, gallantry, nerve, backbone, intrepidity, power

Examples from the Web for courages

Historical Examples of courages

Remember that victorie is not gotten with the multitudes of men, but with the courages of hearts, and valiantnesse of minds.
Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (3 of 6): England (6 of 9)
Raphael Holinshed
This, added to all the rest, do lay us flat in our hopes and courages, every body prophesying destruction to the nation.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete
Samuel Pepys

British Dictionary definitions for courages

courage

noun

the power or quality of dealing with or facing danger, fear, pain, etc
the courage of one's convictions the confidence to act in accordance with one's beliefs
take one's courage in both hands to nerve oneself to perform an action
obsolete mind; disposition; spirit

Word Origin for courage

C13: from Old French corage, from cuer heart, from Latin cor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for courages

courage

c.1300, from Old French corage (12c., Modern French courage) "heart, innermost feelings; temper," from Vulgar Latin *coraticum (source of Italian coraggio, Spanish coraje), from Latin cor "heart" (see heart) which remains a common metaphor for inner strength.

In Middle English, used broadly for "what is in one's mind or thoughts," hence "bravery," but also "wrath, pride, confidence, lustiness," or any sort of inclination. Replaced Old English ellen, which also meant "zeal, strength."

Idioms and Phrases with courages

courage

In addition to the idiom beginning with courage

courage of one's convictions, have the

also see:

Dutch courage
pluck up (one's courage)