Hypertext Webster Gateway: "mettle"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Mettle \Met"tle\, n. [E. metal, used in a tropical sense in
allusion to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. See
{Metal}.]
Substance or quality of temperament; spirit, esp. as regards
honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.; disposition; --
usually in a good sense.
A certain critical hour which shall . . . try what
mettle his heart is made of. --South.
Gentlemen of brave mettle. --Shak.
The winged courser, like a generous horse, Shows most
true mettle when you check his course. --Pope.
{To put one one's mettle}, to cause or incite one to use
one's best efforts.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
mettle
n : the courage to carry on: "he kept fighting on pure spunk";
"you haven't got the heart for baseball" [syn: {heart}, {nerve},
{spunk}]
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