gumption

n. [ OE. gom, gome, attention; akin to AS. geómian, gyman, to regard, observe, gyme care, OS. gomean to heed, Goth. gaumjan to see, notice. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Capacity; shrewdness; common sense. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

One does not have gumption till one has been properly cheated. Lord Lytton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Paint.) (a) The art of preparing colors. Sir W. Scott.

(b) Megilp. Fairholt.

3. initiative; resourcefulness. [ PJC ]

4. Courage; guts. [ PJC ]