METTLE, METTLESOME
ADJECTIVES
► BRAINY unmanageable, high-mettled; spirited, lively → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► FAUSTY ► FEISTY ► FICETY ► FISTY irascible, argumentative, touchy, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome → 1890 Amer. dial.
► HANTY ► HAUNTY wanton, unruly; full of spirit, mettlesome; excited, frisky (generally used of horses) → 1721 Eng. dial.
► HIGH-METTLED high-spirited; courageous; full of fire; mettlesome → a1626 arch.
► SPUNK full of spirit; courageous, mettlesome, spirited → 1788 obs.
► SPUNKEY ► SPUNKIE ► SPUNKY spirited, courageous, mettlesome → 1786
► TICKLISH skittish, mettlesome → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
NOUNS
► BRAIN spirit, mettle → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► DANDER temper, anger, spirit, mettle → 1831
► SPUNK spirit, mettle; courage, pluck → 1773
► TEETH ► TETH temper, disposition; spirit, mettle → 1905 Sc. obs. (Bk.)
NOUNS – PERSON
► BIRKIE ► BIRKY a brisk, active, energetic person; a lively, smart, or mettlesome fellow → 1742 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► SPUNKIE ► SPUNKY a spirited, mettlesome, or courageous person; a smart or lively fellow → 1806 Sc.
Lexicophilia 