different between prowess vs vigour

English

Etymology

From Middle English prowesse, prouwesse, proues, prouesce, prouesse (“bravery in battle; act of bravery; excellence; nobility of character; intelligence”), from Old French proeche, proesce, proeësche (“goodness; excellence; bravery”), from Old French preu, prou, prouz, proz, pruz (“good; excellent; brave”). Compare English proud.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?p?a??s/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?p?a??s/
• Hyphenation: prow?ess

Noun

prowess (countable and uncountable, plural prowesses)

1. (uncountable) Skillfulness and manual ability; adroitness or dexterity.
2. (uncountable) Distinguished bravery or courage, especially in battle; heroism.
3. (countable) An act of prowess.
   1. An act of adroitness or dexterity.
   2. An act of distinguished bravery or courage; a heroic deed.

Derived terms

• prowessed (adjective)

Related terms

• prow

Translations

References

English

Alternative forms

• vigor (US)
• vygour (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English vigour, from Old French vigour, from vigor, from Latin vigor, from vigeo (“thrive, flourish”), from Proto-Indo-European [Term?].

Related to vigil.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?v???/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?v???/
• Rhymes: -???(?)

Noun

vigour (countable and uncountable, plural vigours)

1. Active strength or force of body or mind; capacity for exertion, physically, intellectually, or morally; energy.
2. (biology) Strength or force in animal or vegetable nature or action.

   A plant grows with vigour.

3. Strength; efficacy; potency.
   • 1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost:

     But in the fruithful earth: there first receiv'd / His beams, unactive else, their vigour find.

Usage notes

Vigour and its derivatives commonly imply active strength, or the power of action and exertion, in distinction from passive strength, or strength to endure.

Derived terms

• envigorate
• vigorous
• hybrid vigor/hybrid vigour

Related terms

• vegetable
• vigil

Translations

Old French

Noun

vigour m (oblique plural vigours, nominative singular vigours, nominative plural vigour)

1. Alternative form of vigur