fortitude Hear it!

fortitude Definition

for·ti·tude (fôrtə to̵̅o̅d′, -tyo̵̅o̅d′)

noun

the strength to bear misfortune, pain, etc. calmly and patiently; firm courage

Etymology: ME < L fortitudo < fortis, strong: see fort

fortitude Related Forms
for′·ti·tu·di·nous (-to̵̅o̅d'n əs, -tyo̵̅o̅d-) adjective
fortitude Synonyms

fortitude

n.

firmness, courage, mettle, fearlessness, grit, backbone, determination, pluck, strength, stoicism, guts*; see also determination 2, endurance 2.

fortitude refers to the strength or courage that permits one to endure patiently misfortune, pain, etc. to face a calamity with fortitude; grit applies to an obstinate sort of courage that refuses to succumb under any circumstances; backbone refers to the strength of character and resoluteness that permits one to face opposition unflinchingly; pluck, like guts referred originally to visceral organs, hence pluck implies courage or a strong heart in the face of danger or difficulty and guts, a colloquial word, suggests the sort of stamina that permits one to ""stomach'' a disagreeable or frightening experience See also syn. study at patience.

fortitude Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • character: Fortitude of character is not always found in the most likely places.

Converse of object

  • show: Next day he died, having shown the greatest fortitude.
  • have: I pray we have the fortitude to carry on fighting.
  • display: By batting for nearly nine hours in the match he displayed a fortitude to match anything achieved in his previous 78 Tests.
  • require: They will help you gain the mandate, people, and fortitude required to ensure competitive strength.
  • take: You have a chance to help here, but it will take some intestinal fortitude on your part.
  • exhibit: He therefore exhibits fortitude in its clearest and most perfect form.

Noun used with modifier

  • sense: In this sense fortitude is a special virtue; it is the virtue of courage in adversity.
  • operation: Operation Fortitude, put in place to combat alcohol-fuelled violence, has had a real impact.

Adjective modifier

  • intestinal: Thank you all for the intestinal fortitude to stand for what's right, like static pages fit for the purpose!
  • moral: In figures such as Martin Luther King, the world draws moral fortitude and an example of the effectiveness of non-violent struggle.
  • normal: Even applying the normal fortitude to secondary victims only is the rule still justifiable?
  • mental: Each of the 121 runners will be ably backed by a support team as they undertake the grueling test of physical and mental fortitude.
  • great: Next day he died, having shown the greatest fortitude.
  • human: December 12, 1793 London Forum ' Which is the greater Trial of human Fortitude: Treachery in a Friendship or Perfidy in Love?

Preposition: in

  • face: Loyal, confident submission will give you courage, boldness, fortitude in the face of a hostile society.
fortitude Quotes

The virtue of prosperity, is temperance; the virtue of adversity, is fortitude.

—Bacon, Francis,Viscount St Albans

Browse dictionary entries near fortitude

  1. fortissimo
  2. fortis
  3. fortify
  4. fortified wine
  5. fortified
  6. fortification
  7. fortieth
  8. forthwith
  9. forthright
  10. forthcoming
  1. fortnight
  2. fortnightly
  3. FORTRAN
  4. fortress
  5. fortuitous
  6. fortuity
  7. Fortuna
  8. fortunate
  9. fortunately
  10. fortune