Bold
(Bold) a. [OE. bald, bold, AS. bald, beald; akin to Icel. ballr, OHG. bald, MHG. balt, D. boud,
Goth. balþei boldness, It. baldo. In Ger. there remains only bald, adv. soon. Cf. Bawd, n.]
1. Forward to meet danger; venturesome; daring; not timorous or shrinking from risk; brave; courageous.
Throngs of knights and barons bold.
Milton.
2. Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger; planned with courage; daring; vigorous. "The
bold design leased highly." Milton.
3. In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty
or restraint; rude; impudent.
Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice.
Shak.
4. Somewhat overstepping usual bounds, or conventional rules, as in art, literature, etc.; taking liberties
in composition or expression; as, the figures of an author are bold. "Bold tales." Waller.
The cathedral church is a very bold work.
Addison.
5. Standing prominently out to view; markedly conspicuous; striking the eye; in high relief.
Shadows in painting . . . make the figure bolder.
Dryden.
6. Steep; abrupt; prominent.
Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears.
Trumbull.
Bold eagle,
(Zoöl.) an Australian eagle which destroys lambs and even the kangaroo. — To make
bold, to take liberties or the liberty; to venture.
Syn. — Courageous; daring; brave; intrepid; fearless; dauntless; valiant; manful; audacious; stouthearted; high-
spirited; adventurous; confident; strenuous; forward; impudent.
Bold
(Bold) v. t. To make bold or daring. [Obs.] Shak.
Bold
(Bold), v. i. To be or become bold. [Obs.]
Bolden
(Bold"en) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Boldened ] To make bold; to encourage; to embolden.
Ready speakers, being boldened with their present abilities to say more, . . . use less help of diligence
and study.
Ascham.
Bold-faced
(Bold"-faced`) a.
1. Somewhat impudent; lacking modesty; as, a bold-faced woman.
I have seen enough to confute all the bold-faced atheists of this age.
Bramhall.
2. (Print.) Having a conspicuous or heavy face.
This line is bold-faced nonpareil.
Boldly
(Bold"ly), adv. [AS. bealdlice.] In a bold manner.
Boldness
(Bold"ness), n. The state or quality of being bold.