| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
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| metal, mettle (nn.) |
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| A metal is a chemical element such as iron, copper, silver, or gold and various alloys made of them; mettle is a figurative variant of metal, meaning “courage, spirit, high quality of character.” Listeners may have trouble distinguishing either of these words from medal or meddle in American English unless context makes clear which the speaker intends. | 1 |
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| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
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