Morale

Morale

Noun · /məˈrɑːl/

Definition

The confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group at a particular time; the mental and emotional condition of a person or group with regard to the function or tasks at hand.

Origin

From French morale (moral quality, principle), the feminine of moral, from Latin moralis (of manners, of morals, from mos/moris, custom, manner). The word entered English in the 18th century to describe the spirit and confidence of troops. The distinction between morale (collective spirit) and moral (ethical adjective) is one of register and usage; both derive from the same French and Latin roots. The French form morale was adopted specifically because English moral already existed as an adjective.