Encolden

/ɪnˈkoʊldən/ verb

Definition

To make bold or daring; to embolden or encourage someone to be courageous.

Etymology

From 'en-' + 'colden,' an archaic form related to 'cold' but meaning bold or fierce (from Old English and Germanic roots). This is an extremely rare literary word.

Kelly Says

This word is so obscure that most dictionaries barely mention it, but it shows how English once used 'en-' with adjectives to create verb-like encouragements—'encolden the troops' sounds like Beowulf!

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