Gutty

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Displaying strong bravery or firm determination in facing challenges
2. Having a bold and resolute character that does not back down easily
3. Exhibiting valiant spirit and steadfastness when confronted with difficulties

Etymology: "Gutty," meaning showing firm courage, is a word whose origin is genuinely unclear. The most plausible-looking routes are a link to "gut" with the adjectival "-y" ending, a connection to "gutter" or "guttersnipe," or an Irish source, gaotaire, meaning a windbag. None of these is settled, and only the gut route is grounded in a clearly identified part, since "gut" itself is an ordinary English noun and the "-y" ending is a common adjective-forming suffix. A separate, unrelated word sits alongside it in the same family of forms. The heraldic term "gutty," used of a shield covered with small drops, comes from Old or Middle French "goutté," which goes back to Latin "gutta," meaning "drop" of liquid. That same Latin root gave English "gout" and "gutta-percha" indirectly. Its heraldic sense is a different word from the courage sense, and the two should not be confused.

Synonyms: gritty, determined, tenacious, courageous, bold

Antonyms: timid, cowardly, weak, fragile, fearful