bravura

bravura [bruh-vyoo r-uh, -voo r-uh; Italian brah-voo-rah] Word Origin noun, plural bra·vu·ras, Italian bra·vu·re [brah-voo-re] /brɑˈvu rɛ/.

1. Music. a florid passage or piece requiring great skill and spirit in the performer.
2. a display of daring; brilliant performance.

adjective

3. Music. spirited; florid; brilliant (applied chiefly to vocal but occasionally to instrumental compositions).

Origin of bravura 1780–90; Italian: spirit, dash. See brave, -ure Can be confusedbravery bravado bravura Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019 Related Words for bravure array, fearlessness, spunk, grit, daring, endurance, tenacity, audacity, heroism, determination, firmness, prowess, valor, fortitude, spirit, bravery, gallantry, exhibit, parade, demonstration British Dictionary definitions for bravure bravura noun

1. a display of boldness or daring
2. music
   1. brilliance of execution
   2. (as modifier)a bravura passage

Word Origin for bravura C18: from Italian: spirit, courage, from bravare to show off, see bravado Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for bravure bravura n.

1788, “piece of music requiring great skill,” from Italian bravura “bravery, spirit” (see brave (adj.)). Sense of “display of brilliancy, dash” is from 1813.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper