Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Bold

Bold (bōld) , adjective

[Old English bald, bold, Anglo-Saxon bald, beald; akin to Icelandic ballr, Old High German bald, Middle High German balt, Dutch boud, Gothic balþei boldness, Italian baldo. In German there remains only bald, adv. soon. Compare Bawd, n.]

1.
Forward to meet danger; venturesome; daring; not timorous or shrinking from risk; brave; courageous.
Throngs of knights and barons bold. — Milton
2.
Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger; planned with courage; daring; vigorous.
The bold design leased highly. — Milton
3.
In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or restraint; rude; impudent.
Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice. — Shakespeare
4.
Somewhat overstepping usual bounds, or conventional rules, as in art, literature, etc.; taking liberties in composition or expression; as, the figures of an author are bold.
Bold tales. — Waller
The cathedral church is a very bold work. — Addison
5.
Standing prominently out to view; markedly conspicuous; striking the eye; in high relief.
Shadows in painting... make the figure bolder. — Dryden
6.
Steep; abrupt; prominent.
Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears. — Trumbull

Bold ({not transcribed}) , transitive verb

To make bold or daring. [Obsolete] — Shakespeare

Bold , intransitive verb

To be or become bold. [Obsolete]