bold / bōld/ • adj. 1. (of a person, action, or idea) showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous: a bold attempt to solve the crisis he was the only one bold enough to air his dislike. ∎ dated (of a person or manner) so confident as to suggest a lack of shame or modesty: she tossed him a bold look.2. (of a color or design) having a strong or vivid appearance: a coat with bold polka dots. ∎  (of a typeface) having thick strokes.3. (of a cliff or coastline) steep or projecting: bold, craggy edges on the lip of the plateau.• n. a typeface with thick strokes: difficult words and phrases are highlighted in bold.PHRASES: (as) bold as brass confident to the point of impudence: she marched into the library as bold as brass.a bold stroke a daring action or initiative.DERIVATIVES: bold·ly adv.bold·ness n.

bold OE. b(e)ald = OS., OHG. bald (G. adv. bald soon), ON. ballr dangerous, fatal :- Gmc. *balþaz.
Hence boldly OE.