Stouten

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To act or appear in a manner that is bold ; to strengthen something physically or in resolve ; to provide support or reinforce
2. Exhibiting courage or firmness ; making stronger or firmer in structure or attitude ; lending aid or buttressing
3. Behaving with confidence or daring ; increasing the fortitude or solidity of something ; offering backing or shoring up

Etymology: "Stouten" is a verb meaning to strengthen with courage, and it is built in the plainest way possible: the adjective "stout" with the verbal ending "-en" attached. The adjective "stout" itself has a long history, meaning brave, bold or resolute before it came to describe a sturdy build or a dark beer, so the verb carries that older sense of firmness of spirit. Adding "-en" to an adjective to form a verb meaning "make or become" is an ordinary English pattern, as in "soften", "harden", "lighten" and "widen", and "stouten" follows exactly that model.