Doughtier

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A sibling, especially a female one, noted for her close familial bonds and affection
2. A girl or woman considered in relation to her parents, underscoring her role within the family
3. Referring to a daughter in a sentimental or affectionate manner, highlighting familial relationships

Etymology: "Doughtier" is the comparative of "doughty," and the root word once meant something much broader than bravery. Old English "dohtig" and "dyhtig" meant competent, good, strong, or valiant, a sense of capability that the word still carried in Middle English, where "doughty" meant brave, bold, or valiant. Its relatives across the Germanic languages show the same wide range: Scots "douchty" means bold, Dutch "duchtig" means severe or strict, German "tüchtig" means capable or efficient, and Swedish "duktig" means clever or good at what one does. The shared idea is being fit for a task, and courage was just one way of being fit. The English word is usually analysed as "dought" plus the suffix "-y," meaning full of or having the quality of. Because "doughty" is an adjective, its comparative "doughtier" simply means braver in danger, the sense the word has carried for centuries, though the comparative form itself is a plain, regular construction.

Synonyms: braver, hardier

Antonyms: cowardly, timid