brave

Etymology

From Middle French brave, borrowed from Italian bravo, itself of uncertain origin (see there).

adj

1. Strong in the face of fear; courageous.
   For miſerie doth braueſt mindes abate, / And make them ſeeke for that they wont to ſcorne, / Of fortune and of hope at once forlorne. 1578–1579, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale. … Dedicated to the Right Honorable the Ladie Compton and Mountegle”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. Whereof the Next Page Maketh Mention, London: Imprinted for VVilliam Ponsonbie, dwelling in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Bishops head, published 1591, →OCLC
   […]he has been so brave, giving it all a dignity. 1987, Michael Grumley, The Last Diary
2. (obsolete) Having any sort of superiority or excellence.
   February 18, 1666, Samuel Pepys,, diary entry It being a brave day, I walked to Whitehall.
3. Making a fine show or display.
   For I have gold, and therefore will be brave. / In silks I'll rattle it of every color. 1611, John Cooke, Greene's Tu Quoque
   Frog and lizard in holiday coats / And turtle brave in his golden spots. 1867, Ralph Waldo Emerson, May-Day
4. (UK, euphemistic) Foolish or unwise.

noun

1. (dated) A Native American warrior.
2. (obsolete) A man daring beyond discretion; a bully.
3. (obsolete) A challenge; a defiance; bravado.

verb

1. (transitive) To encounter with courage and fortitude, to defy, to provoke.
   […] but they [Parliament] never will be braved into it. 1773, A Farmer, Rivington's New-York Gazetteer, Number 53, December 2
   After braving tricks on the high-dive, he braved a jump off the first diving platform.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To adorn; to make fine or showy.