Valour

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈvælə/

Definitions

1. Exceptional courage and bravery shown in the face of danger or adversity, especially in battle
2. The trait of exhibiting extraordinary bravery and heroism in dangerous situations, particularly in combat
3. The quality of showing great bravery and strength when confronted with danger or difficulty

Etymology: Valour arrived in English through Anglo-Norman, the French spoken by the aristocracy after 1066, which carried the Latin "valor" into Middle English. The Latin word was built from "valere", "to be strong, be worth, be well", so the original sense was closer to worth or strength than to battlefield courage. A Roman described a man of "valor" as someone of substance and capability, and the link to bravery came later as strength and worth were tested in fighting. Valour has a close relative in English, "valure", which is a doublet: the same Latin source entered the language by a different route, giving a word that came through Old French and was used in a more general sense of value. The two forms split in meaning and spelling, so "valour" kept the heroic emphasis and "valure" faded from use.

Synonyms: courage, bravery, valor, gallantry, heroism

Antonyms: cowardice, fear, timidity, meekness, submissiveness