a. [ OE. bald, bold, AS. bald, beald; akin to Icel. ballr, OHG. bald, MHG. balt, D. boud, Goth. balþei boldness, It. baldo. In Ger. there remains only bald, adv. soon. Cf. Bawd, n. ] 1. Forward to meet danger; venturesome; daring; not timorous or shrinking from risk; brave; courageous. [ 1913 Webster ]

Throngs of knights and barons bold. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger; planned with courage; daring; vigorous. “The bold design leased highly.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or restraint; rude; impudent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Somewhat overstepping usual bounds, or conventional rules, as in art, literature, etc.; taking liberties in composition or expression; as, the figures of an author are bold. “Bold tales.” Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cathedral church is a very bold work. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Standing prominently out to view; markedly conspicuous; striking the eye; in high relief. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shadows in painting . . . make the figure bolder. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Steep; abrupt; prominent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears. Trumbull. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be or become bold. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To make bold or daring. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Zool.) an Australian eagle (Aquila audax), which destroys lambs and even the kangaroo. --
To make bold, to take liberties or the liberty; to venture. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Courageous; daring; brave; intrepid; fearless; dauntless; valiant; manful; audacious; stouthearted; high-spirited; adventurous; confident; strenuous; forward; impudent. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Boldened ] To make bold; to encourage; to embolden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ready speakers, being boldened with their present abilities to say more, . . . use less help of diligence and study. Ascham. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a typeface with thick heavy lines; -- also called bold-faced. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. to print in boldface. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. 1. Somewhat impudent; lacking modesty; as, a bold-faced woman. [ 1913 Webster ]

I have seen enough to confute all the bold-faced atheists of this age. Bramhall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Print.) Having a conspicuous or heavy face; -- also called boldface. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This line is bold-faced nonpareil. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ AS. bealdlīce. ] In a bold manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being bold. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Courage; bravery; intrepidity; dauntlessness; hardihood; assurance. [ 1913 Webster ]