Cowardise

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality of lacking courage when facing danger, difficulty, or pain
2. A shameful absence of bravery in the face of something frightening or challenging
3. The failure or unwillingness to show courage in situations requiring boldness or nerve

Etymology: The root is an image of a frightened animal. Old French "coard" or "couard" (the source of "coward") was likely formed from "coue," meaning tail, which goes back to Latin "cauda," plus the suffix "-ard." The name probably described an animal, perhaps a dog, that tucked its tail between its legs, and the sense was then applied to timid people. English took the noun in its Middle English form, built on "coward" with the suffix "-ise," which marks a state or quality, as in "justice." It was closely paralleled by "cowardice," which came into English from the same French source. The form "cowardise" is now rare, and it survives mainly in older writing.

Synonyms: cowardice, timidity, fearfulness

Antonyms: courage, bravery