Reverse Dictionary: COURAGE

ADJECTIVES
► ABLE courageous, strong, capable → 1980 Can.
► AMAZONIAN of a woman: courageous, fierce → 1595
► ANIMOUS courageous, spirited, bold → 1620 obs.
► ANNOINTED full of courage and energy for any desperate exploit → 1890 sl. (Bk.)
► AWELESS courageous, fearless, bold → 1400
► BALLS courageous, tough, masculine → 1984 US sl.
► BALLS-ASS courageous, tough, masculine → 1967 US sl.
► BALLSEY ► BALLSY courageous, brave, daring → 1935 sl., orig. & chiefly US
► BIG stout-hearted, courageous → 1390 obs.
► BIG-HEARTED stout-hearted, courageous → 1711
► BOLD stout-hearted, courageous, daring → a1000
► BOTTOM courageous, full of stamina and endurance → 1790 UK sl.
► BRICKY plucky, courageous → 1909 UK sl.
► CANT courageous, hearty, lusty, lively, merry, hale → 1330 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► COMFORTLESS without courage or strength, spiritless → 1387 obs.
► CORKSCREWED ► CORKSCREWED UP courageous because of alcohol; with one’s courage screwed by alcohol → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► COURAGEABLE abounding in courage, courageous → 1689 obs.
► COURAGED having courage → 1529
► DERF courageous, bold, daring, brave, hardy → 1175 obs.
► DESIROUS IN ARMS ready and eager to fight; courageous → 1405 obs.
► DOUGHTY possessing courage and determination; brave, bold → a1000
► DOUGHTY-HEARTED courageous, bold, brave → 1864
► DOWFART lacking in courage or spirit → 1774
► DUNGHILL lacking in courage, spirit, or fight → 1775 obs.
► EXANIMATE destitute of animation or courage → 1550
► EXCORDIATE deprived of heart or courage → 1594 obs.
► FACELESS lacking face or courage; cowardly → 1567 obs.
► FACY possessed of courage to ‘face’ an enemy → 1900 Sc. (Bk.)
► FAINT wanting in courage, spiritless, cowardly → 1300 obs.
► FAINT-HEARTED wanting courage or will to carry a thing through → 1440
► FELON courageous, brave, sturdy → 1487 obs.
► FORTITUDINOUS endowed with courage or moral strength; capable of endurance → 1752
► FRACK daring, courageous, bold → a1000
► FRAIL lacking courage, morally or mentally weak → 1390
► FULL-HEARTED courageous, zealous, confident → 1616
► GAME AS A PEBBLE ► GAME AS PEBBLES extremely courageous; ready for anything, having staying power; often used of horses → 1831 sl.
► GAME AS A PISS-ANT extremely courageous; especially said of someone of small stature → 1945 Aust. sl.
► GAME AS NED KELLY courageous, plucky, willing to go up against overwhelming odds → 1930s Aust. sl.
► GAMELIKE characterized by courage or fighting spirit → 1804 obs.
► GAMON’D courageous, plucky, ‘game’ → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► GENEROUS gallant, courageous, valiant → 1596 obs.
► GREAT-HEARTED courageous, stout-hearted → 1425
► GREAT OF HEART courageous, noble → 1225 arch.
► GRITFUL having or showing courage and resolve → 1872
► GRITTY courageous, courageously determined or persevering → 1843 Amer. dial.
► GUTLESS ► GUTSLESS lacking in courage or determination → 1915
► GUTS requiring or demonstrating courage or fortitude → 1957 Amer. sl.
► GUTSBALL courageous, spirited, plucky; robust → 1963 Amer. sl.
► GUTS-HIGH extremely courageous; fearless → 1958 Amer. sl.
► GUTS-UP extremely courageous; fearless → 1950s Amer. sl.
► GUTSY courageous, brave, spirited, plucky, robust → 1893
► GUTTY courageous, brave, spirited, plucky, robust → 1942 Amer. sl.
► HARDY courageous, daring, bold, resolute → 1225
► HAUGHT of exalted courage → 1530 obs.
► HAUGHTY of exalted courage or bravery → 1563 arch.
► HAUTAIN ► HAUTEIN courageous, bold; of exalted courage → 1450 obs.
► HEARTED courageous, full of heart, spirited → 1538 obs.
► HEARTLY courageous, spirited → 1450 obs.
► HEARTSOME courageous, spirited, bold → 1567 obs.
► HEART-WHOLE having courage and good spirits → 1564
► HEARTY courageous, bold → 1380 obs.
► HERCULEAN like Hercules in strength, courage, or labours → 1596
► HIGH-HEARTED having great courage or spirit, stout-hearted bold → 1625
► HIGH-METTLED courageous, high-spirited; full of fire; mettlesome → 1626
► HIGH- SPIRITED having great courage or spirit, stout-hearted, brave → 1588
► HIGH-STOMACHED of high courage or spirit → 1548 obs.
► INVERTEBRATE lacking courage, vigour, or strength of character → 1867
► IRON courageous, fearless → 1859 US sl.
► JOLLY of cheerful courage, gallant, brave → 1330 obs.
► KEENLY courageous, bold → 1275 obs.
► KIND displaying knightly qualities; chivalrous, brave, courageous → 1350 obs.
► LION-HEARTED having the heart or courage of a lion; courageous, brave → 1708
► LUSTY courageous, valiant, active → 1374 obs.
► MAGNANIMOUS great in courage; nobly brave or valiant → 1584
► MANFUL characterized by manly courage and resolution, brave → 1400
► MARTIAL fierce, fond of fighting, courageous → 1425
► METTLE brave, courageous → 1606 obs.
► METTLESOME courageous, brave → 1828
► MILK-BLOODED lacking courage or mettle; cowardly → 1822 derogatory
► MOODY gallant, courageous → 1905 Sc. (Bk.)
► NERVED courageous; vigorous → 1615 obs.
► NERVED WITH IRON exceptionally strong, vigorous, or courageous → 1846
► NERVED WITH STEEL exceptionally strong, vigorous, or courageous → 1680
► NERVED WITH WIRE exceptionally strong, vigorous, or courageous → 1671
► NERVY courageous, bold, full of nerve → 1882
► NESH lacking courage or spirit, timid → a1000
► ON A BRAVE suddenly and temporarily courageous → M19 US sl.
► PLUCKED having pluck or courage → 1846 colloq., arch.
► PLUCKEY ► PLUCKY courageous, bold, spirited → 1835 colloq.
► PLUCKLESS lacking courage or spirit → 1821
► POOR mentally or morally inferior; lacking in courage or spirit; low, mean, contemptible → 1425 obs.
► POOR-SPIRITED wanting in spirit or courage; cowardly → 1611
► POT-VALIANT made courageous or bold due to the influence of alcohol → 1647
► PUSILLANIME lacking in courage and strength of mind; of weak spirit; faint-hearted, cowardly, mean-spirited → 1570 obs.
► PUSILLANIMOUS lacking in courage or strength of purpose, cowardly → 1425
► PUTTY-HEARTED soft-hearted; lacking in courage, cowardly → 1872
► QUAILING losing courage, hope, etc. → 1475
► RESPIRITED filled with fresh spirit or courage → 1609
► SOFT-SPLEENED lacking in courage or resolve → 1631 obs.
► SOOKY lacking in courage; timid → 1901 colloq.
► SPLEENY lacking in courage and stamina → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► SPRIGHTLESS lacking spirit, liveliness, or energy; lacking courage or vitality → 1522
► SPUNK full of spirit; courageous, mettlesome, spirited → 1788 obs.
► SPUNKEY ► SPUNKIE ► SPUNKY courageous, spirited, mettlesome → 1786
► STALWART valiant in fight, courageous, brave → 1480
► STALWORTH courageous, brave, bold, daring, valiant, mighty → 1225
► STEEL-HEARTED courageous, stout-hearted → 1571
► STEEP of warriors: of high courage, noble → 1275 obs.
► STOMACHFUL spirited, courageous → 1610 obs.
► STOMACHLESS lacking courage → 19C
► STOMACHOUS spirited, courageous → 1547 obs.
► STOUT-HEARTED courageous, undaunted → 1552
► SWUNDEN lacking courage or strength → 1275 obs.
► UNABLE TO NECK IT lacking moral courage → 1902 colloq. (Bk.)
► UNMANNED deprived of courage, made weak or timid → 1694
► UNNERVED deprived of courage or confidence → 1603
► UNNERVING causing loss of courage or confidence → 1722
► UP-LOOKING courageous-looking and bright → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► VALIANT courageous, brave, bold → 1425
► VALOROUS valiant, courageous, brave, bold → 1477
► VALUROUS courageous, brave → 1626 obs.
► V.C. courageous, plucky (Victoria Cross) → L19 sl.
► VIRTUOUS fall of courage, valiant, valorous → 1330 obs.
► WARLY skilled or courageous in war; fierce → 1500 obs.
► WEAK-HEART lacking courage or strength of character → 1425 obs.
► WEAK-HEARTED lacking courage, faint-hearted → 1533
► WEAK-KNEED lacking courage or resolve → 1766
► WELL-HEARTED courageous, stout-hearted → 1485 obs.
► WELL-STOMACHED courageous; having a strong stomach → 1478 obs.
► WHITE-ARSED lacking courage, worthless → 1903 sl.
► WIGHT courageous and strong, esp. in warfare; valiant, brave → 1275 arch. & Sc., & Eng. dial.
► WIGHTY courageous and strong, esp. in warfare, valiant, brave → 1400 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► WOKE lacking resolve, courage, or firmness of purpose → a1000 obs.
► YELLOW lacking in courage, faint-hearted, cowardly → 1856 colloq.
► YELLOW-BELLIED lacking in courage; cowardly → 1907
► YELLOW-LEGGED courageous, ‘game’ → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► YELLOW-LIVERED lacking in courage, cowardly, faint-hearted → 1857 US colloq.
► YEOMANLY courageous, sturdy → 1626

ADVERBS
► DOUGHTILY in a courageous and determined manner; valiantly, resolutely → 1380 arch.
► HAUTAINLY courageously, boldly → 1513  obs.
► HEARTLY courageously, with courage or spirit; vigorously, with might and main → 1300 obs.
► MANLY courageously, in a manly manner; manfully, with valour or energy → 1205 obs.
► YEOMANLY in a sturdily courageous manner → 1386

INTERJECTIONS & PHRASES
► CORAGGIO! used as a hortatory exclamation; courage! → 1605
► GRITTY AS FISH EGGS ROLLED IN SAND said of one possessing courage → 1945 US Western usage (Bk.)
► HE HAS GRAVEL IN HIS GIZZARD he as courage, he is a brave man → 1945 US Western usage (Bk.)
► HE STANDS COLLECTED he is strong and courageous → 1694 obs.
► KNOWS HOW TO DIE STANDING UP said of a person with courage, who is unafraid in a fight → 1945 US Western usage (Bk.)
► MORE BALLS THAN A POOL HALL said of a courageous person → 1966 US sl.
► MORE GUTS THAN YOU COULD HANG ON A FENCE said of one with unusual courage → 1945 US Western usage (Bk.)
► ONE’S BOWELS TURN TO WATER one loses courage → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)

NOUNS
► APPROOF courage, pluck tried by experience → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► ARISTOTLE courage → 1910s rhyming sl. for ‘bottle’
► ARSE  courage → 2000s sl.
► ARSEHOLE courage → 2000s sl.
► BALLOCKS courage, vigour → 1980s sl.
► BALLS virile courage; virility; guts; strength of character; energy, spirit → 1890 US sl.
► BELLY courage, guts → 1975 US sl. (Bk.)
► BORROWED BRASS false courage inspired by drugs or drink → 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage
► BOTTLE courage → 1958 Brit. sl.
► BOUGHT GUTS false courage inspired by drugs or drink → 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage
► BRASS courage; nerve; impudence → 1682
► BRASS NECK courage; nerve; impudence → 1984 sl.
► BRAVITY courage, bravery → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► COJONES courage → 1932 sl., orig. US
► CORAIOUSTE courageousness → 1382 obs.
► COURAGIE courage → 1556 obs.
► DRUGSTORE NERVE false courage inspired by drugs or drink → 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage
► DUTCH COURAGE false courage from drinking liquor → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► EGGS courage, virility → 1950s sl.
► GAME courage, pluck, spirit, endurance → 1824 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► GIMP courage, guts, spirit → 1893 sl.
► GIZZARD  courage, spirit, life → 1892 Amer. dial.
► GRAIN courage, ‘grit’ → 1970 Amer. dial.
► GRIT courage → 1905 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► GUMPTION courage, shrewdness; practical good sense or initiative; enterprise → 1719 colloq., orig. Sc.
► GUT courage, bravery, staying power → M17 sl.
► GUT CHECK a test of courage or determination → 1968 US sl.
► GUTS courage, force of character, staying power → 1893 colloq.
► GUTS BALL an action requiring courage, fortitude, extreme competitiveness, determination, etc. → 1962 Amer. sl.
► GUTSINESS courage, energy, spirit → 1893
► GUTS LIKE CALABASH extreme courage → 1991 Trinidad and Tobago
► HACKLE courage, pluck → M19 sl.
► HAIR courage, masculine prowess, virile strength →1959 US students’ sl.
► HARDIMENT courage, boldness, daring, hardihood → 1374 arch.
► HARDISHIP courage, hardy behaviour → 1240 obs.
► HEART O’ GRACE courage, strength → 1878 Eng. dial.
► ICE courage, ruthlessness → 1990s African-American sl.
► INTESTINAL FORTITUDE courage, guts; strength of will → 2002 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► IRON courage → 1859 Amer. thieves’ sl.
► MAGNANIMITY lofty courage; fortitude → 1509 obs.
► MANFUL-HARDINESS courage, bravery → 1430 obs.
► MANHEAD courage, valour; the quality of being manly; manhood; virility → 1275
► MANLIHEAD courage, virility, bravery → 1422 obs.
► MANSHIP manly courage, valour; vigour, manliness → 1205 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► MEAD ► MEED ► MEID courage, bearing; mood, disposition → 1724 Sc.
► MELT courage; recklessness → 1867 Amer. dial.
► MOXEY ► MOXIE ► MOXY courage, nerve; energy, initiative; strength, know-how → 1930
► MUSTARD spirit, zest, courage, esp. in adversity → 1614 US sl.
► NADS, THE manly courage → 1976 Amer. sl.
► NUTS manly courage → 1980 US sl.
► PECKER courage; resolution → 1848 sl.
► PLUCK courage → 1785 sl., possibly originally boxing usage
► PUSILLANIMITY lack of courage or fortitude; cowardice, faint-heartedness → 1393
► RAMAGE courage, wildness, high spirit → 1456 obs.
► SACK courage → 1984 US sl.
► SAND courage; tenacity; stamina; pluck; determination; perseverance; obstinacy → 1867 Amer. dial.
► SANDINESS a having courage, pluck, or ‘sand’ → 1897 US sl.
► SAUCE courage, spirit → 1997 US sl.
► SCRONCH spirit, courage, spunk → 1996 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► SPIZERINKUM courage, stamina → 1947 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SPRAWL courage → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► SPUNK courage, pluck; spirit, mettle → 1773
► STIFF UPPER LIP courage or resolution in the face of fear or danger → 1815 sl., orig. US
► TICKER courage → 1935 Aust. & US sl.
► VALENCE courage, valour → 1604 obs.
► VALIANCY a being courageous or valiant; bravery, valiantness, valour → 1574
► VALURE courage, bravery → 1577 obs.
► YANKEE GRIT great persevering courage → 1996 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► YARBLES courage, guts → 1970s sl.

NOUNS – PERSON
► ALL GUTS a person of great courage → 20C Amer. sl.. World War II usage
► BAD-ASSED NIGGER ► BAD-ASS NIGGER a courageous, positive person → 1900s African-American sl.
► BAYARD a man of courage and honour → 1922 (Bk.)
► BELLONA a courageous woman; a spirited woman of commanding presence; an imposing and strong-willed woman → 1820
► GALLANT a courageous, gay, sprightly, and airy person; a high-spirited, daring person → 1388 arch.
► GALLIARD a man of courage and spirit → 1532 obs.
► GIBBY a person who has a lot of guts and doesn’t care about what happens to himself or anyone else → 1970 US sl. (Bk.)
► HEART a person considered in respect of his or her courage, bravery, or other admirable qualities → 1340
► HEART OF OAK a person with a courageous, strong nature, esp. a brave and loyal soldier or sailor → 1600 arch.
► HELL-BENDER a person who is especially courageous, formidable, or aggressive → 1812 Amer. sl.
► HE-ROW a courageous and distinguished person → 1992 Amer. South. usage (Bk.)
► HEROWINE a courageous and distinguished woman → 1992 Amer. South. usage (Bk.)
► HUMMINGBIRD ASS a person who lacks the courage to back up his taunts → 1977 US sl.
► PRETTY MAN a courageous, warlike, or hardy man → 1576 chiefly Sc.
► SPUNKIE ► SPUNKY a courageous, spirited, or mettlesome person; a smart or lively fellow → 1806 Sc.
► TIGER a person of very great courage or strength → 1500
► VALIANT a courageous or brave person → 1609
► VALOUR a person of courage; a man of mettle → 1606

VERBS
► BE IN ARMOUR to be courageous or bold under the influence of alcohol → L17 sl.
► BITE THE BULLET to behave courageously; to avoid showing fear or distress → 1891
► BUCK UP to take courage, to apply oneself → 1844 Amer. dial.
► CAFF to lose courage, to be daunted, to turn coward → 1841 Eng. dial.
► COWBOY UP to make a determined effort to overcome an obstacle; to demonstrate courage or toughness when faced with a difficult situation → 1973 colloq.
► DROOP to flag in courage or spirit, to lose heart → 1330
► FAINT to lose courage or heart, to be afraid, to become depressed, to give way → 1350 arch.
► FUNK ► FUNK IT to lose courage; to become frightened or timid; to lose one’s nerve → 1857 UK sl.
► GO TO WATER to lose courage; to abandon one’s resolve → 1984 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► GUT to display one’s courage → 1940s US sl.
► HANG AND RATTLE to stick to the finish, to have courage → 1945 US Western usage (Bk.)
► HAVE SAND IN ONE’S CRAW to be courageous, tenacious, or energetic; to be determined and plucky → 1881 Amer. dial.
► HAVE SAND ON ONE’S GIZZARD to have courage → 1913 Amer. dial.
► HOLD ONE’S MUD to keep one’s composure or resolve; to show courage or endurance → 1966 US sl.
► KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP to keep up one’s courage → 1815
► KEEP ONE’S CHIN UP to retain one’s courage → 1938 sl.
► KEEP ONE’S PECKER UP to retain one’s courage → 1853 Brit. sl.
► LOSE ONE’S GOAT to lose one’s courage; to lose one’s ability to fight → 1910s sl.
► MAGNANIMATE to imbue with steadfast courage; to inspire with greatness of mind; to render high-souled; to cheer, to inspirit → 1640 obs.
► NECK IT to stand, to exhibit moral courage → 1889 sl. (Bk.)
► NERVE UP TO to gather the courage to try something → 1979 Amer. dial.
► PUT A PERSON OFF HIS METTLE to undermine a person’s courage → 1745 obs.
► SHOW A LOT OF HAIR to display courage → 1960s Amer. sl.
► SHOW ONE’S METTLE to show spirit or courage → 1642
► SPRIGHT to fill with spirit; to inspire with courage or resolve → 1531 obs.
► TAINT to cause to lose courage or vigour → 1600 obs.
► TAKE IT FIGHTING to approach in a courageous manner; to act aggressively → L19 US sl.
► TAKE METTLE to take courage → 1844 Eng. dial.
► WALK TALL to behave courageously, proudly, and honestly → M19 sl., orig. US
► WUSS OUT to lose courage; to back down; to fail to do as promised → 1977 US sl.