pusillanimous

Derived from Latin pusillanimis (“faint-hearted, timid”).

• IPA^(key): /pjuːsɪlˈænɪməs/ or IPA^(key): /pjuːsəlˈænəməs/

• Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -ænɪməs

pusillanimous (comparative more pusillanimous, superlative most pusillanimous)

1. Showing ignoble cowardice, or contemptible timidity [from 16th c.]

   The soldier deserted his troupe in a pusillanimous manner.

   • 1882 — Mark Twain, On the Decay of the Art of Lying .

     Therefore, the wise thing is for us diligently to train ourselves to lie thoughtfully, judiciously; to lie with a good object, and not an evil one; to lie for others' advantage, and not our own; to lie healingly, charitably, humanely, not cruelly, hurtfully, maliciously; to lie gracefully and graciously, not awkwardly and clumsily; to lie firmly, frankly, squarely, with head erect, not haltingly, tortuously, with pusillanimous mien, as being ashamed of our high calling.

• pusillanimously
• pusillanimousness
• pusillanimity