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fortitude definition

for·ti·tude (fôrt′ə to̵̅o̅d′, -tyo̵̅o̅d′)

noun

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

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

Related Forms:

  • fortitudinous for′·ti·tu′·di·nous (-to̵̅o̅d′'n əs, -tyo̵̅o̅d′-) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.

Noun used with modifier

  • sense: In this sense fortitude is a special virtue; it is the virtue of courage in adversity.

Adjective modifier

  • intestinal: Thank you all for the intestinal fortitude to stand for what's right, like static pages fit for the purpose!

Preposition: in

  • face: Loyal, confident submission will give you courage, boldness, fortitude in the face of a hostile society.
fortitude usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

fortitude quotes

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

-Bacon, Francis,Viscount St Albans

fortitude quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"fortitude." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
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APA Style

fortitude. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/fortitude

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