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Webster 1913 Edition
Fortitude
1.
Power to resist attack; strength; firmness.
[Obs.]
The
fortitude
of the place is best known to you. Shakespeare
2.
That strength or firmness of mind which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage, or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression, or despondency; passive courage; resolute endurance; firmness in confronting or bearing up against danger or enduring trouble.
Extolling patience as the truest
fortitude
. Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Fortitude
FOR'TITUDE
,Noun.
That strength or firmness of mind or soul which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage, or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression or despondency. Fortitude is the basis or source of genuine courage or intrepidity in danger, of patience in suffering, of forbearance under injuries, and of magnanimity in all conditions of life. We sometimes confound the effect with the cause, and use fortitude as synonymous with courage or patience; but courage is an active virtue or vice, and patience is the effect of fortitude.
Fortitude is the guard and support of the other virtues.