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.”
• 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.”
• 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 “barbarus”, 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 “pravus”, 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.”
• 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 “brave”
• ↓ 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.”
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.”
4. English: It entered the English language in the late 15th century through French, retaining the meaning of “courageous” or “daring.”
Over time, the word “brave” evolved to specifically signify personal courage and valor, shedding much of its earlier connotations of wildness or unruliness.