different between mettle vs doggedness

English

Etymology

1580s, originally a variant of metal, which had a figurative sense until the early 18th century.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?m?t.l?/, /?m?.t?l/
• Rhymes: -?t?l
• Homophones: metal, medal, meddle (in accents with flapping)

Noun

mettle (usually uncountable, plural mettles)

1. A quality of endurance and courage.

   Synonyms: courage, heart, spirit

   • 2001, Harry J. Alexandrowicz, Testing your Mettle: Tough Problems and Real-world Solutions for Middle and High School Teachers, page xiii

     Please read on and discover the issues in education that test the mettle of those who experience this world every day.
2. Good temperament and character.
3. (obsolete) Metal; a metallic substance.

Derived terms

• mettlesome

Translations

References

English

Etymology

dogged +? -ness

Noun

doggedness (usually uncountable, plural doggednesses)

1. The state of being dogged; persistence; perseverance; tenacity; stubbornness.
   • 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, ch. 26,

     At one time it looked as though he could not live more than a few hours, and I am convinced that it was only through the Dutchman's doggedness that he pulled through.

2. (obsolete) sullenness; moroseness

Synonyms

• tenacity
• See also Thesaurus:obstinacy

Translations

References

• Webster, Noah (1828) , “doggedness”, in An American Dictionary of the English Language
• doggedness in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• “doggedness” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.