coward

Pronunciation: /ˈkaʊɚd/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a person who shows fear or timidity
  2. noun English dramatist and actor and composer noted for his witty and sophisticated comedies (1899-1973)

Etymology

From Middle English coward, from Old French coart, cuard ( > French couard), from coue (“tail”), coe + -ard (pejorative agent noun suffix); coue, coe is in turn from Latin cauda. The reference seems to be to an animal "turning tail", or having its tail between its legs, especially a dog. Compare the expression tail between one's legs. Displaced native Old English earg (surviving in northern dialect English argh). Unrelated to cower, which is of Germanic origin.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
person
Narrower (hyponyms)
quaker, sissy, shy person, poltroon, waverer, cur

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