Cour"age (kŭr"&asl;j; 48),
n. [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.
Shak.
2. Heart; inclination; desire;
will. [Obs.] Chaucer.
I'd such a courage to do him good.
Shak.
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.
Shak.
Courage that grows from constitution often
forsakes a man when he has occasion for it.
Addison.
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, v. t. To inspire
with courage. [Obs.]
Paul writeth unto Timothy . . . to courage
him.
Tyndale.
