Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Coward?

\Cow"ard\ (kou"?rd), a. [OF. couard, coard, coart, n. and adj., F. couard, fr. OF. coe, coue, tail, F. queue (fr. L. coda, a form of cauda tail) + -ard; orig., short-tailed, as an epithet of the hare, or perh., turning tail, like a scared dog. Cf. {Cue}, {Queue}, {Caudal}.] 1. (Her.) Borne in the escutcheon with his tail doubled between his legs; -- said of a lion. 2. Destitute of courage; timid; cowardly. Fie, coward woman, and soft-hearted wretch. --Shak. 3. Belonging to a coward; proceeding from, or expressive of, base fear or timidity. He raised the house with loud and coward cries. --Shak. Invading fears repel my coward joy. --Proir.
\Cow"ard\, n. A person who lacks courage; a timid or pusillanimous person; a poltroon. A fool is nauseous, but a coward worse. --Dryden. Syn: Craven; poltroon; dastard.
\Cow"ard\, v. t. To make timorous; to frighten. [Obs.] That which cowardeth a man's heart. --Foxe.