high-mettledadj.

a1626 F. Bacon Queen Elizabeth in Mor. & Hist. Wks. (1860) 488 In a military and high-mettled nation.

1655 E. Terry Voy. E.-India ii. 107 This Empire further affords very excellent good Horse, curiously made, high mettled, and well managed by the Natives.

1668 J. Dryden Sr Martin Mar-all v. 70 Love's an high mettal'd Hawk that beats the Air.

?1714 J. Swift Humble Petit. in Prose Wks. (1907) XI. 389 A chaise drawn by two high mettled horses.

1753 Universal Advertiser 20 Mar. 29 He assures all high mettled Sparks, that by these Methods of Duelling, he hath conferred Fame..on many a constitutional Coward.

1817 C. Cuthbertson Rosabella III. i. 5 I beheld the leaders of a four-in-hand equipage, with their heads in our landau, dashing them up and down in all their high mettled pranks.

1858 Harper's Mag. Mar. 549/2 He preferred..the most high-mettled animals, even at the expense of an unconquerable temper.

1902 C. G. Harper Holyhead Road II. i. 16 Instead of bestriding a high-mettled steed at the cross-roads, there to await the coach, the thief..booked seats.

1954 C. Eaton Hist. Southern Confederacy vi. 111 The high-mettled brigadier never forgave this affront.

2007 M. Way Cattle Rancher, Convenient Wife ii. 25 She had such a high mettled look to her and surely a redhead's temper.