stalworth en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- /ˈstɒl-/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /ˈstɔl.wɚθ/ (General-American)
- /ˈstɑl-/ (General-American)
- /ˈstɔːl.wəθ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
From Middle English stalworth, stal-worth (“physically strong, hardy, robust; brave, courageous”), from Old English stǣlwierþe (“able to stand in good stead, serviceable”), probably from staþol (“establishment; foundation”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand (up)”)) or stǣl (“place; condition, stead”) + -wierþe (suffix meaning “able to, capable of”) (probably ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wert- (“to rotate, turn”)). Displaced by stalwart, which forms a doublet. Compare staddle and worth.
Meanings
-
(archaic, obsolete) Stalwart.
Our blooming friend, the handsome and stalworth Magnolia, having got a confidential hint from agitated Mrs. Mack, trudged up to the mills, in a fine frenzy, vowing vengeance on Mary Matchwell, for she liked poor Sally Nutter well.
1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most stalworth | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more stalworth | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic |