English Explanatory Dictionary

embolden

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To render (someone) bolder or more courageous; to encourage, to hearten.
  2. To format (text) in boldface.

Pronunciation

/ɛmˈbəʊld(ə)n/ /ɪm-/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-embolden.wav /ɛmˈboʊld(ə)n/

Word forms

embolden emboldens emboldening emboldened no-table-tags glossary emboldenest emboldenedst emboldeneth imbolden

Etymology

From bold (adjective) + em- -en (variant of en- -en (circumfix forming transitive verbs denoting an increase in, or intensification of, the quality denoted by the enclosed word)). Compare Middle English embolden, enbolden (“to make bold, encourage”) (modern English embold, enbold, imbold (obsolete)), and inboldysshen (“to embolden, encourage”).

Synonyms

bolden bold boldface

Related words

bolden embold

Derived words

emboldener emboldening emboldenment reembolden re-embolden
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