metal, mettle

1. Both are in origin the same word. In the 16th century mettle began to move apart as a separate word used only in figurative meanings, of which the dominant one still current is 'ardent or spirited temperament; spirit, courage', as in the expressions show one's mettle and be on one's mettle.

2. The verb metal has inflected forms metalled, metalling in British English, and usually metaled, metaling in American English.

Previous:	meta-, merit, meretricious
Next:	metallurgy, metaphor and simile, metathesis