corage

Corage is an archaic or historical spelling of the English noun courage. In Middle English and Early Modern English, corage was used to denote both bravery in the face of danger and, more literally, the heart or innermost feelings that motivate action. The term reflects the long-standing medieval association between the heart and courage.

Etymology: The word derives from Old French corage or corage, from Latin cor, cordis meaning heart. The sense of boldness or valour developed from the metaphor of the heart as the source of resolve, a view common in many languages.

Usage and modern status: In modern English, the standard spelling is courage. The form corage is now considered archaic and is typically found only in historical texts, philological studies, or quotations intended to evoke an older style. Some scholarly works discuss corage as part of the history of English orthography and semantic change.

See also: courage, bravery, heart (figurative sense), etymology of courage.