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brave
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As an adjective, brave means strong in the face of fear. As a noun, it means a North American Indian warrior.
Meanings of brave
13 meaningsadjective
Strong in the face of fear; courageous.
Making a fine show or display.
UKeuphemismFoolish or unwise.
Possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
“Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver but less daring”
“a frank courageous heart … triumphed over pain”
“set a courageous example by leading them safely into and out of enemy-held territory”
Similar: courageousBrightly colored and showy
“girls decked out in brave new dresses”
“brave banners flying”
“‘braw’ is a Scottish word”
Similar: braw, gay
Older and rare meanings (1)
obsoleteHaving any sort of superiority or excellence.
noun
People who are brave
“the home of the free and the brave”
Older and rare meanings (3)
datedA Native American warrior.
obsoleteA man daring beyond discretion; a bully.
obsoleteA challenge; a defiance; bravado.
verb
To encounter with courage and fortitude, to defy, to provoke.
“After braving tricks on the high-dive, he braved a jump off the first diving platform.”
Older and rare meanings (1)
obsoleteTo adorn; to make fine or showy.
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).