American Dictionary of the English Language

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Boldness


BOLDNESS, noun Courage; bravery; intrepidity; spirit; fearlessness. I cannot, with Johnson, interpret this word by fortitude or magnanimity. boldness does not, I think, imply the firmness of mind, which constitutes fortitude, nor the elevation and generosity of magnanimity.

1. Prominence; the quality of exceeding the ordinary rules of scrupulous nicety and caution; applied to style, expression, and metaphors in language; and to figures in painting, sculpture and architecture.

2. Freedom from timidity; liberty.

Great is my boldness of speech towards you. 2 Corinthians 7:4.

3. Confidence; confident trust.

We have boldness and access with confidence. Ephesians 3:12.

4. Freedom from bashfulness; assurance; confident mien.

5. Prominence; steepness; as the boldness of the shore.

6. Excess of freedom, bordering on impudence.