Where does “fortitude” come from?

Fortitude comes from Latin fortitudo, derived from fortis meaning strong, which traces to Latin fors and ultimately Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- and bʰer-.

fortitude (English): Mental or emotional strength that enables courage...

Definitions

  1. Mental or emotional strength that enables courage...

Ancestry of “fortitude”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinfortitudostrength, force; fortitude, resolve; bravery,...
2Latinfortisstrong, powerful; firm, resolute, steadfast,...
3Old Latinforctisstrong
4Proto-Italicforktisstrong, robust
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰerǵʰ-to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- →Every word from Proto-Italic forktis →Every word from Old Latin forctis →