valorous
Meaning
showing great courage, especially in war or battle.
Structure
Usage
the soldiers were commended for their valorous defense of the city.
the epic poem recounts the valorous deeds of the ancient hero.
she made a valorous attempt to rescue the child from the burning building.
Etymology
the word "valorous" is a direct descendant of the latin concept of strength and worth. it is formed from the noun "valor," which originates from latin valorem (value, worth), itself from the verb valēre, meaning "to be strong, to be of worth." this verb is traced back to the proto-indo-european root wal-, meaning "to be strong." the suffix "-ous," from latin -ōsus, attaches to nouns to create adjectives meaning "full of" or "possessing the qualities of." therefore, the literal construction "full of valor" evolved seamlessly into its modern abstract meaning of being characterized by exceptional courage and bravery, particularly in the face of danger.
Analysis
- valor (from latin valorem, meaning "value, worth, courage," from valēre "to be strong, be worth") - ous (from latin -ōsus, an adjective-forming suffix meaning "full of, characterized by")