Talk:Bravura

The historical background section is completely off.

In italian the meaning of bravura isn't spirit (that could be easily translated into entusiasmo or spirito displayed while doing smthg.) nor dash (whose italian correspondant terms would most likely be verve or tocco as in exclusive characterization given with a small intervention), it's a fairly common term even in modern italian (thus it wouldn't be used only in an artistic environment and it's very often mentioned in sports) and doesn't mean excellence (eccellenza) either.

Braveria, bravezza and lastly, bravura are simply sinonyms for the english skill, in an unequivocal positive acceptation of the term;

as far as etimology goes all the aforementioned words are derivative forms of the adjective bravo (skilled, capable but also indomitable in the archaic acception of the word - the next logical step toward bravery should be within the grasp of any english speaking reader) that comes from the greek "brabion" (in modern greek mprabo means well executed).

However seems like bravura comes from the indoeuropean root for "to break", "to tear" Bhrag, which later led to the german brechen and the gothic brikan (again, to break - as a side and interesting note Metatron Torment, the weapon skill that characterize the relic Great Axe could very well be considered a break WS) that subsequentially became "brakvus" or "blagvus" which mean "those who could knock down any obstacle" and that would've been (and still is, to some extent) connected with meanings such as winning individual quite often since then.

Case in point, the sentence "quel guerriero è di una bravura esagerata" means "that Warrior is exceptionally skilled" and if you're willing to allow a more slang'ish form "that warrior rocks", "that warrior kick ass".

--SearainGaruda 06:55, 29 July 2007 (CDT)