valiant
/ˈvalɪənt
/adjective
Possessing or showing courage or determination: she made a valiant effort to hold her anger in check a valiant warrior...
- I have to say we made a valiant effort - after each set back we picked ourselves up, brushed the dirt of our knees and skated on.
- Bruno loves Sonia and makes a valiant effort to make her happy once again.
- The singer feigns ignorance, and makes a valiant if contradictory effort to keep up appearances.
Synonyms
brave, fearless, courageous, valorous, plucky, intrepid, heroic, stout-hearted, lionhearted, manly, manful, bold, daring, audacious, gallant, confident, spirited, stout, undaunted, dauntless, doughty, mettlesome, unalarmed, unflinching, unshrinking, unblenching, unabashed, undismayed;
determined, stalwart, staunch, indomitable, resolute, steadfast, firm, unyielding, unbending, unfaltering, unswerving, unwavering, stubborn, dogged;
North American rock-ribbed
informal game, gutsy, spunky, ballsy
Origin
Middle English (also in the sense 'robust, well-built'): from Old French vailant, based on Latin valere 'be strong'.
Early senses included ‘robust’ and well-built’. The source is Old French vailant, based on Latin valere ‘be strong’. The sense ‘courage’ came in late Middle English. The same Latin source gives valour (Late Middle English) which at first referred to ‘worth derived from personal qualities or rank’ and later (towards the end of the 16th century) to ‘courage’, and valid (late 16th century). Via French valoir ‘be worth’ we also get value (Middle English).