Definition of mettle
1a
: vigor and strength of spirit or temperament (see temperament sense 1a)
a girl of … mettle who lost a baby brother to leukemia— Bill Zehme
b
: staying quality : stamina
equipment that proved its mettle proved his mettle in battle
2
: quality of temperament or disposition
gentlemen of brave mettle— William Shakespeare
on one's mettle
: aroused to do one's best
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for mettle
The first known use of mettle was in 1581
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