Bravery, n.
Etymology: [Cf. F. braverie.]
1. The quality of being brave; fearless; intrepidity. Remember, sir, my liege, . . . The natural bravery of your isle. Shak.
2. The act of braving; defiance; bravado. [Obs.] Reform, then, without bravery or scandal of former times and persons.
3. Splendor; magnificence; showy appearance; ostentation; fine dress. With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery. Shak. Like a stately ship . . . With all her bravery on, and tackle trim. Milton.
4. A showy person; a fine gentleman; a beau. [Obs.] A man that is the bravery of his age. Beau. & Fl.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Courage; heroism; interpidity; gallantry; valor; fearlessness; dauntlessness; hardihood; manfulness. See Courage, and Heroism.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for bravery; he lists it under prowess.
Where he writes about it:
Bravery, courage, heroism, and intrepidity may be silent, spiritual, or passive; they may be exhibited by a martyr at the stake. — from prowess
Courage is a nobler word than bravery, involving more of the deep, spiritual, and enduring elements of character; such an appreciation of peril as would extinguish bravery may only intensify courage, which is resistant and self-conquering; courage applies to matters in regard to which valor and prowess can have no place, as submission to a surgical operation, or the facing of censure or detraction for conscience' sake. — from prowess