derring-do

English

WOTD – 20 January 2011

Etymology

From Middle English daring (to) do, misinterpreted as a noun by by Edmund Spenser.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌdɛɹɪŋˈduː/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌdɛɹɪŋˈduː/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

derring-do (uncountable)

  1. Valiant deeds in desperate times.
  2. Brave and adventurous (albeit often reckless) actions.

Derived terms

Translations

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