English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Old French valeureux.

Adjective edit

valorous (comparative more valorous, superlative most valorous)

  1. Having or displaying valour.
    • c. 1490, William Caxton (translator), The Boke of Eneydos, Westminster, Preface,[1]
      this present booke compyled by virgyle ryght subtyl and Ingenyous oratour & poete Intytuled Eneydos hath be translated oute of latyn in to comyn langage In whiche may alle valyaunt prynces and other nobles see many valorous fayttes of armes.
    • 1599, William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv]:
      [] he esteems himself happy that he hath fallen into the hands of one, as he thinks, the most brave, valorous, and thrice-worthy signieur of England.
    • 1819 December 20 (indicated as 1820), Walter Scott, Ivanhoe; a Romance. [], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: [] Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co. [], →OCLC:
      [] I shall be at York—at the head of my daring and valorous fellows, as ready to support any bold design as thy policy can be to form one.
    • 1929, Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms[2], New York: Scribner, Book I, Chapter 10, p. 70:
      He held up the glass. “To your valorous wounds. To the silver medal.”
    • 2004, Andrea Levy, chapter 12, in Small Island[3], London: Review, page 139:
      There are many valorous stories told of her, which enthral grown men as well as children.

Synonyms edit

Derived terms edit

References edit