brave to temper (iron) 1 realization Unique
NEW Realization 1 (ID: 6893)
type Polysemy
language Tigrinya
lexeme täbʕe
meaning 1 to be tempered (iron), to forge, pund iron; to be sharp, keen, pointed (knife)
direction
meaning 2 to be virile, brave, courageous, to have a man's spirit
reference TED: 1256
comment The source meaning is that of "to be a man", hence "to be courageous, brave", hence the figurative use of "to be hardened (iron)" which gives rise to the meaning of "to be sharp (knife)".