mettle etymology

Etymology and Meaning:

Mettle originates from the Old French word "metaille," which originally meant "metal." It evolved into Middle English as "metel," meaning both "metal" and "temper of metal," particularly its strength and resilience. By the 16th century, "mettle" had acquired its current figurative sense of "courage," "spirit," or "resolution."

Origin:

The ultimate origin of "metaille" is Latin "metallum," meaning "metal." This word, in turn, is thought to be derived from Greek "metalleuō," meaning "to seek or dig for metal." The connection between the physical strength of metal and the figurative strength of character is an ancient metaphor found in many languages and cultures.

mettle relate terms

  • metal

    Etymology The word metal is derived from the Late Latin word metāllum which is ulti

  • mettlesome

    Etymology Mettlesome comes from the Middle English word meteles meaning spirited

  • mettle

    Etymology and Meaning Mettle originates from the Old French word metaille which origi

  • heart

    Etymology The word heart comes from the Old English word heorte which is related to

  • nerve

    Etymology The word nerve comes from the Latin word nervus which means sinew tendo

  • prance

    Etymology The word prance derives from the Middle English word praunsen which ultima

  • spirit

    Etymology The word spirit is derived from the Latin word spiritus which means breat

  • bravery

    Etymology The word bravery originates from the Old French word braverie which means

  • courage

    Etymology French courage Latin cor heart Proto Indo European ḱr̥d heart

  • earth

    Etymology The word earth derives from the Old English word eorþe which itself is d

  • never

    Etymology The word never is derived from the Old English word næfre which is compo

  • friend

    Etymology The word friend comes from the Old English word freond which meant compa

  • penthouse

    Etymology Penthouse is derived from the Middle English word pentiz or pentise which