Met·tle n. Substance or quality of temperament; spirit, esp. as regards honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.; disposition; -- usually in a good sense; as, to test a person's mettle.
A certain critical hour which shall . . . try what mettle his heart is made of. --South.
Gentlemen of brave mettle. --Shak.
The winged courser, like a generous horse,
Shows most true mettle when you check his course. --Pope.
To put one one's mettle, to cause or incite one to use one's best efforts.
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