fortitude

n.

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.