pot-valiant
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of pot-valiant
First recorded in 1635–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Valiant or pot-valiant, great was his relief at finding himself clasped, instead of by a loathsome spectre, by a silver-haired man of noble presence, yet with a countenance indescribably haggard and anxious.
From The Twilight of the Gods, and Other Tales by Garnett, Richard
He heard not a few loyal home-made songs, by the red-hot braggarts, pot-valiant and full of "gentle minstrelsie," as they trolled lustily past his lodging.
From Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 by Roby, John
Now, poor old Mole had on occasions been what is called pot-valiant.
From Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape from the Brigand's of Greece by Hemyng, Bracebridge
His eyes wore an expression of profound misery, but he preserved steadily other portions of a pot-valiant air.
From The Monster and Other Stories by Crane, Stephen
And when next they met, the pot-valiant squireen would chuckle proudly, "Faith, yon was a night."
From The House with the Green Shutters by Brown, George Douglas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
