Bold

a. [A.-S. bald, beald, bold, Icel. balldr and ballr, Goth. balths, O. H. Ger. bald, pald, M. H. Ger. balt, D. bont, Pr. baut, baudos, O. Fr. baud, It. baldo. In N. H. Ger. there remains only bald, adv., soon.]

1Sense 1. Forward to meet danger; venturesome; daring; intrepid; courageous; not timorous or shrinking from risk. “Throngs of knights and barons bold.” Milton.

2Sense 2. Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger; planned with courage. “The bold design pleased highly.” Milton.

3Sense 3. In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over-assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or restraint; rude; impudent. “Voluble and bold.” Milton.

4Sense 4. Somewhat overstepping usual bounds, as in art, literature, &c.; presuming upon sympathy or forbearance; taking liberties in composition or expression; venturesome; daring. “Bold tales.” Waller.

The cathedral church is a very bold work. Addison.

5Sense 5. Standing prominently out to view; striking the eye; markedly conspicuous.

Shadows in painting . . . make the figure bolder. Dryden.

6Sense 6. Steep; abrupt; prominent.

Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears. Trumbull.

To make bold, to take liberties; to use freedom.

Synonyms—Courageous; daring; brave; intrepid; fearless; dauntless; valiant; manful; audacious; stout-hearted; high-spirited; adventurous; confident; strenuous; forward; impudent.