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mettle |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Mettle \Met"tle\, n. [E. metal, used in a tropical sense in allusion to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. See {Metal}.] Substance or quality of temperament; spirit, esp. as regards honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.; disposition; -- usually in a good sense A certain critical hour which shall . . . try what mettle his heart is made of --South. Gentlemen of brave mettle. --Shak. The winged courser, like a generous horse, Shows most true mettle when you check his course. --Pope. {To put one one's mettle}, to cause or incite one to use one's best efforts. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: mettle n : the courage to carry on: "he kept fighting on pure spunk"; "you haven't got the heart for baseball" [syn: {heart}, {nerve}, {spunk}]
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