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Forte vs Fortitude - What's the difference?

forte | fortitude |

As nouns the difference between forte and fortitude

is that forte is a strength or talent while fortitude is mental or emotional strength that enables courage in the face of adversity.

As an adjective forte

is loud. Used as a dynamic directive in sheet music in its abbreviated form, "f.", to indicate raising the volume of the music. (Abbreviated in musical notation with an f, the Unicode character 1D191..

As an adverb forte

is loudly.

forte

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A strength or talent.
  • He writes respectably, but poetry is not his forte .
  • The strong part of a sword blade, close to the hilt.
  • Usage notes
    Traditionally, , a two-syllable pronunciation also came into common use. Both pronunciations are now standard.

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) .

    Adjective

  • (music) Loud. Used as a dynamic directive in sheet music in its abbreviated form, "f.", to indicate raising the volume of the music. (Abbreviated in musical notation with an f, the Unicode character 1D191.)
  • This passage is forte , then there's a diminuendo to mezzo piano.

    Adverb

  • (music) Loudly.
  • The musicians played the passage forte .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A passage in music to be played loudly; a loud section of music.
  • This forte marks the climax of the second movement.
    See also
    * piano

    References

    fortitude

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Mental or emotional strength that enables courage in the face of adversity.
  • * 1612 , , King Henry VIII , act 3, sc. 2:
  • . . . I am able now, methinks,
    Out of a fortitude of soul I feel,
    To endure more miseries.
  • * , ch. 1:
  • I shall soon have need for all my fortitude , as I am on the point of separation from my own daughter.
  • * 1906 , , The Mirror of the Sea , ch. 21:
  • She may be saved by your efforts, by your resource and fortitude bearing up against the heavy weight of guilt and failure.
  • * 2012 Jan. 30, , " The Strategist," Time :
  • Mitt Romney . . . charges that Obama is an appeaser who apologizes for America, lacks fortitude and is "tentative, indecisive, timid and nuanced."
  • (archaic) Physical strength.
  • * 1604 , , Othello , act 1, sc. 3:
  • DUKE OF VENICE: The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for
    Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best
    known to you.

    Synonyms

    * (mental or emotional strength) inner strength, moxie, resolve