greathearted means nobly courageous, bighearted.
Why “greathearted” is a great word
Nobly courageous and magnanimous, characterized by high-minded generosity of spirit. From Middle English *gret-herted*, equivalent to 'great' (large, eminent) + 'hearted' (having a specified kind of heart or disposition), first attested between 1350 and 1400. Unlike 'magnanimous,' which specifically emphasizes a lofty forgiveness of slights, or 'brave,' which denotes raw courage in danger, greathearted encompasses a broader, more splendid constitution of spirit. It is the commander who spares a vanquished foe, the quiet patron who enriches a community without demanding recognition, and the steady soul who bears a private grief while offering solace to others—a testament to the soul, not unbroken, but expanded by its wounds.
Etymology
From Middle English gret-herted, equivalent to great + hearted.
adj
- Nobly courageous, bighearted.
- Magnanimous.
Words closest in meaning
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