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valiant

/ˈvæljənt/
/ˈvæljənt/
IPA guide

It was pretty courageous of the automaker Plymouth to name a car the "Valiant" in the 1960s and 70s because that term usually refers to a hero or describes a really determined, or valiant, effort that doesn't end well.

Synonyms for valiant include "heroic" and "courageous," so it isn’t surprising that those who serve in the military often are called valiant. The 14th-century French origins of the word are "bold" or "of worth," which makes the adjective valiant a good one for describing ordinary people who put all they have into something, making their efforts valiant, even if they fail. The Plymouth Valiant, by the way, was considered a strong and successful car, though valiant usually refers to people.

Definitions of valiant
  1. adjective
    having or showing valor
    “a valiant attempt to prevent the hijack”
    “a valiant soldier”
    synonyms: valorous
    brave, courageous
    possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
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