pot-valiant

[ pot-val-yuhnt ]

/ ˈpɒtˌvæl yənt /

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See synonyms for: pot-valiancy / pot-valor on Thesaurus.com

adjective

brave only as a result of being drunk.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of pot-valiant

First recorded in 1635–45

OTHER WORDS FROM pot-valiant

pot-val·iant·ly, adverbpot-val·or

[pot-val-er], /ˈpɒtˌvæl ər/, pot-val·ian·cy

[pot-val-yuhn-see], /ˈpɒtˌvæl yən si/, noun

Words nearby pot-valiant

Pottsville, potty, potty-chair, pottymouth, potus, pot-valiant, potwalloper, Potyomkin, pouch, pouched, pouched rat

How to use pot-valiant in a sentence

Now, poor old Mole had on occasions been what is called pot-valiant.
Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape From the Brigand's of Greece|Bracebridge Hemyng
His eyes wore an expression of profound misery, but he preserved steadily other portions of a pot-valiant air.
The Monster and Other Stories|Stephen Crane
But in the midst of his brooding, Teppich and the fat Sturgeon assailed the nunnery gate with pot-valiant blows and shouts.
Dragon's blood|Henry Milner Rideout
I know you; twenty to one, but you will plead a drunkenness; you are used to be pot-valiant.
Dryden's Works (8 of 18): Amphitryon; King Arthur; Cleomenes; Love Triumphant|John Dryden

An early adventure was to force a pot-valiant parson, who had drunk a cup too much at a wedding, into a rarely farcical situation.
A Book of Scoundrels|Charles Whibley