Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve.
- idiom (on (one's) mettle) Prepared to accept a challenge and do one's best.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Same as
metal . - noun Physical or moral constitution; material.
- noun Natural tempera me ut; specifically, a masculine and ardent temperament; spirit; courage; ardor; enthusiasm.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun Substance or quality of temperament; spirit, esp. as regards honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.; disposition; -- usually in a good sense.
- noun to cause or incite one to use one's best efforts.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
quality ofendurance andcourage . - noun Good
temperament andcharacter . - noun obsolete
Metal ; ametallic substance.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun the courage to carry on
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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I. i.96 (151,8) Of unimproved mettle hot and full] _Full of unimproved mettle_, is full of spirit not regulated or guided by knowledge or experience.
Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies Samuel Johnson 1746
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However, a much greater test of their title mettle awaits Stephen Kearney's men when they face favourites Australia in Melbourne next Saturday, while PNG must now pick themselves up for their clash with England in Auckland on the same day.
BBC News - Home 2010
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Arsene Wenger's delight as Arsenal show their title mettle in hard-fought Goodison Park win
Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2010
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The real test of your mettle is when you come up against a major setback and you refuse to let it stop you, when you find another way to achieve what you need to do.
August 2007 2007
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The real test of your mettle is when you come up against a major setback and you refuse to let it stop you, when you find another way to achieve what you need to do.
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But the true test of a person's mettle is what can they do when they don't have money to control their lives.
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` ` To me, where your mettle is tested a little bit is when you get hit in the teeth.
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New Jersey's mettle is being severely tested in the franchise's first appearance in the conference final.
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High mettle is the praise of a horse rather than of a man, whom fierceness and rage ill become.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume III (Job to Song of Solomon) 1721
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Ancelotti asks Arsenal to show their Premier League title mettle LONDON - Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has told arch rivals Arsenal that its time to show their mettle for the Premier League title.
Gaea Times (by Simple Thoughts) Breaking News and incisive views 24/7 Ani 2010
dbekeny commented on the word mettle
TIN MAN
(sings)
When a man's an empty kettle,
He should be on his mettle.
And yet I'm torn apart.
Just because I'm presumin'
That I could be kind-a human,
If I only had a heart.
June 10, 2010