[syn: bluff, bold, sheer]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bold \Bold\ (b[=o]ld), a. [OE. bald, bold, AS. bald, beald; akin
to Icel. ballr, OHG. bald, MHG. balt, D. boud, Goth.
bal[thorn]ei 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.
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Throngs of knights and barons bold. --Milton.
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2. Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger;
planned with courage; daring; vigorous. "The bold design
leased highly." --Milton.
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3. In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over
assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or
restraint; rude; impudent.
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Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice.
--Shak.
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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.
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The cathedral church is a very bold work. --Addison.
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5. Standing prominently out to view; markedly conspicuous;
striking the eye; in high relief.
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Shadows in painting . . . make the figure bolder.
--Dryden.
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6. Steep; abrupt; prominent.
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Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears.
--Trumbull.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bold \Bold\, v. t.
To make bold or daring. [Obs.] --Shak.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bold \Bold\, v. i.
To be or become bold. [Obs.]
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
bold
adj 1: fearless and daring; "bold settlers on some foreign
shore"; "a bold speech"; "a bold adventure" [ant:
timid]
2: clear and distinct; "bold handwriting"; "a figure carved in
bold relief"; "a bold design"
3: very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front; "a
bluff headland"; "where the bold chalk cliffs of England
rise"; "a sheer descent of rock" [syn: bluff, bold,
sheer]
n 1: a typeface with thick heavy lines [syn: boldface, bold
face, bold]