Renaissance
boldness and fearlessness as highly esteemed.
bravus, cutthroat, villain?
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foreign?
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The word “brave†in English, meaning courageous or displaying bravery, has a rich etymological history that traces back through several languages and meanings.
1. Middle French Origin:
• The English “brave†was borrowed from Middle French “brave†(15th century), which meant “splendid,†“valiant,†or “excellent.â€
• Middle French was the dialect of Old French spoken in France from the 14th to the 16th centuries.
2. Italian Influence:
• The Middle French term itself was derived from the Italian “bravo†(early 14th century), which had a range of meanings including “bold,†“wild,†“savage,†and “courageous.â€
• In Italian, “bravo†initially carried a negative connotation, often referring to someone as “wild†or “untamed.†Over time, the meaning shifted to emphasize positive qualities like bravery and skill.
3. Possible Latin Roots:
• The Italian “bravo†is believed to originate from Vulgar Latin bravus, which meant “cutthroat†or “villain.†This term was likely used to describe someone dangerous or aggressive.
• Another theory suggests a connection to the Latin “barbarusâ€, meaning “foreign†or “barbarous,†implying someone outside the bounds of civilized society—again highlighting a sense of wildness or untamed nature.
• There’s also a possibility that it comes from Latin “pravusâ€, meaning “crooked,†“depraved,†or “bad,†further emphasizing negative traits.
4. Semantic Shift:
• The word underwent a significant semantic shift from negative attributes like “savage†or “wild†to positive ones like “courageous†or “valiant.â€
• This transformation reflects how qualities perceived as dangerous or untamed can be reinterpreted as admirable traits, especially in contexts valuing heroism and boldness.
5. Cultural Context:
• During the Renaissance, traits like boldness and fearlessness were highly esteemed, possibly influencing the positive reinterpretation of the term.
• The adoption of “brave†into English during the 15th century coincides with increased cultural exchanges between England and continental Europe, particularly through literature and warfare.
6. Modern Usage:
• Today, “brave†universally denotes courage and the ability to face fear or danger.
• The term has also influenced other expressions and words in English, such as “bravado†(a display of boldness) and “bravery†(the quality of being brave).
Summary:
• English “braveâ€
• ↓ borrowed from
• Middle French “brave†(splendid, valiant)
• ↓ derived from
• Italian “bravo†(bold, wild, savage)
• ↓ possibly from
• Vulgar Latin bravus (cutthroat, villain)
• or
• Latin “barbarus†(barbarous)
• or
• Latin “pravus†(crooked, depraved)
The evolution of “brave†illustrates how words can transform across languages and cultures, shifting in meaning from negative to positive as societal values change.
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wild savage, bravus, barbarus?
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The word “brave†has its roots in several languages, tracing back to the Latin and Italian traditions:
1. Italian: The word comes from the Italian “bravo,†meaning “bold, wild, or savage.†In its early usage, it could have a more negative connotation, referring to someone wild or untamed.
2. Latin: The Italian “bravo†is thought to have derived from the Late Latin word “bravus†or “barbarus,†meaning “savage†or “wild.â€
3. French: The term was later adopted into Middle French as “brave,†where it began to take on the more positive sense of “courageous†or “valiant.â€
4. English: It entered the English language in the late 15th century through French, retaining the meaning of “courageous†or “daring.â€
Over time, the word “brave†evolved to specifically signify personal courage and valor, shedding much of its earlier connotations of wildness or unruliness.