Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PROW'ESS, n. [Fr. prouesse; It. prodezza, from prode, brave, and as a noun, profit, benefit; Sp. proeza. The primary sense of the root is to stretch, shoot or advance forward, and hence the sense of profit.]

Bravery; valor; particularly, military bravery; gallantry; intrepidity in war; fearlessness of danger. Men of such prowess as not to know fear in themselves. – Sidney.