fortitude
Meaning: Courage and strength of mind in facing pain, danger, or adversity; mental and emotional resilience.
Fortitude is one of the four cardinal virtues in classical philosophy, alongside prudence, justice, and temperance. It describes the inner strength to endure suffering, hardship, or fear without complaint or collapse. It carries a dignified, somewhat formal tone and is often used in contexts of illness, bereavement, wartime, and personal trial. Common collocations include 'moral fortitude,' 'mental fortitude,' 'quiet fortitude,' and 'intestinal fortitude' (a euphemism for guts).
Examples
- She bore the loss of her husband with a quiet fortitude that inspired everyone around her. 她以一种感染周围所有人的沉静刚毅,承受了失去丈夫的痛苦。Sobrellevó la pérdida de su marido con una fortaleza serena que inspiró a todos los que la rodeaban.彼女は夫の死を静かな不屈の精神で受け止め、周囲の人々を感動させた。그녀는 남편의 죽음을 조용한 불굴의 정신으로 받아들였고, 주위 모든 사람에게 감동을 주었다.
- The soldiers showed extraordinary fortitude during the long and bitter winter campaign. 士兵们在漫长而严酷的冬季战役中展现了非凡的刚毅。Los soldados mostraron una fortaleza extraordinaria durante la larga y dura campaña invernal.兵士たちは長く厳しい冬の戦役の間、並外れた精神力を示した。병사들은 길고 혹독한 겨울 전역 동안 비범한 정신력을 보여주었다.
- Running an ultramarathon requires as much mental fortitude as it does physical fitness. 跑超级马拉松需要的精神毅力丝毫不亚于体能。Correr un ultramaratón exige tanta fortaleza mental como forma física.ウルトラマラソンを走るには、体力と同等の精神的強靭さが求められる。울트라마라톤을 뛰려면 체력만큼이나 강인한 정신력이 필요하다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: literary, media, general
Tone: positive
Origin & History
From Latin fortitudo (strength, firmness, bravery), from fortis (strong, brave). One of the four cardinal virtues discussed by Plato and later adopted by Christian moral theology, emphasising endurance and courage in adversity.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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