morale
UK[mɒˈrɑːl]US[məˈræl]
n
The level of confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group at a particular time.
n
The mental and emotional condition of an individual or group with regard to the function or tasks at hand.
Etymology
The journey of 'morale' into English is a story of semantic narrowing through borrowing. It entered English from French in the mid-18th century, specifically retaining the feminine form 'morale' used in the phrase 'morale de l'armée' (the army's spirit). Its ultimate Latin ancestor is 'mos', meaning "custom" or "manner," which gave rise to 'moralis', concerning proper conduct. While the English adjective 'moral' retained the broader sense of ethical principles, the noun 'morale' specialized to describe the psychological state—the prevailing customs of spirit and confidence—within a group, especially in challenging contexts like military or work environments.
Analysis
The word 'morale' is a loanword from French, derived from the feminine form of the adjective 'moral'. The French 'moral' originates from Latin 'moralis', meaning "pertaining to manners or character," which was coined by Cicero from 'mos' (genitive 'moris'), meaning "custom, habit, manner, disposition."
Examples
The team's morale was high after their decisive victory.
Poor management and a lack of recognition can severely damage employee morale.
The general gave a speech to boost the morale of the troops before the battle.