Meaning
To render (someone) bolder or more courageous; to encourage, to hearten.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From bold (adjective) + em- -en (variant of en- -en (circumfix forming transitive verbs denoting an increase in, or intensification of, the quality denoted by the enclosed word)). Compare Middle English embolden, enbolden (“to make bold, encourage”) (modern English embold, enbold, imbold (obsolete)), and inboldysshen (“to embolden, encourage”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
dishearten
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram: