brave

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The example of the brave is an inspiration to the timid, their presence thrilling through every fibre.

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Definitions (34)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (11)

  1. adjective Possessing or displaying courage; valiant.
  2. adjective Making a fine display; impressive or showy: "a coat of brave red lipstick on a mouth so wrinkled that it didn't even have a clear outline” (Anne Tyler).
  3. adjective Excellent; great: "The Romans were like brothers/In the brave days of old” (Thomas Macaulay).
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Examples (50)

  • It is an elite club where only the bravest of the brave are allowed to enter. —  Daily Express News Feeds
  • That would suggest that hope is a commodity reserved for the brave, the fearless. —  news | OS | http://www.ocala.com
  • In addition to thrill rides for the brave, the parks are family oriented with water slides and wave action pools, as well as attractions for smaller children themed around the 'Peanuts' comic strip characters. —  Find Free Articles - ArticlesBase
  • IF they prove to be survivors and IF than can return to near previous levels of profitability the rewards for the brave will be significant. —  Fool.co.uk - Headlines
  • Buskers, break-dancers, stilt-walking jazz musicians, giant cuddly-toys and reverse-bungee jumps for the brave were just some of the attractions on offer at the Grand Prix.
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Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

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Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

gallant ·  honest ·  bold ·  courageous ·  young ·  cheerful

Used in the same contextWord Family

brave:   braver ·  bravest ·  braved ·  braving
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English, from Old French, from Old Italian or Old Spanish bravo, wild, brave, excellent, probably from Vulgar Latin *brabus, from Latin barbarus; see barbarous.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. First in early modern English; = German brav (17th century)=Middle Dutch brauwe, braue, fine, gallant (in appearance), brava, fierce, also fine, gallant (Kilian), modern D. braaf, brave, gallant, courageous (cf. Middle Dutch brauwen, adorn, bravere, be fierce, = Middle Low German bravēren = Old Danish bravere, strut), = Danish brav, brave, worthy, = Old Swedish braf, Swedish bra, good, from prob. Scots braw, good also plesant, fine, handsome, etc., from French brave, brave, fine gallant, etc., introduced in the 16th century, from Italian bravo, brave, hardy, Old Italian tempestuous (cf. bravo, n., cutthroat, assassin, bravo), = Spanish Portuguese bravo, brave, etc., = Provencal brau, feminine brava, brave, hard, wicked, etc. (Middle Latin bravus, a bravo, cutthroat); perhaps = Old French *brou in rabroüer, check, chide, etc., brouaz, brouhaha, a bluster, brouhoux, storms, blusters, etc., brouée, blustering. Origin and relations uncertain. There appear to be at least two words confused: in the sense ‘fine, good,’ etc., cf. Breton brav, brao, fine, agreeable, pretty, braga, strut, dress in fine clothes (see brag); in the sense ‘bold, wild,’ etc., cf. Old French braou, brau, Middle Latin bravus, bravis, a young untamed ox, Old Italian bravo, tempestuous, Spanish brava, a heavy swell of teh sea, Old French *brou (above), etc.; Welsh braw, terror, fright.
  2. from French braver, brave, affront, defy, etc., from brave, brave.
 

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/breɪv/
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