coward

¹

[kou-erd]

noun

1. a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.

   Synonyms: milksop, recreant, dastard, poltroon, craven

adjective

1. lacking courage; very fearful or timid.

2. proceeding from or expressive of fear or timidity.

   a coward cry.

Coward

²

[kou-erd]

noun

1. Noel, 1899–1973, English playwright, author, actor, and composer.

Coward

¹

/ ˈkaʊəd /

noun

1. Sir Noël ( Pierce ). 1899–1973, English dramatist, actor, and composer, noted for his sophisticated comedies, which include Private Lives (1930) and Blithe Spirit (1941)

coward

²

/ ˈkaʊəd /

noun

1. a person who shrinks from or avoids danger, pain, or difficulty

Word History and Origins

Origin of coward¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French couard-, couart “cowardly,” from coue “tail” (from Latin cauda, cōda ) + -art -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of coward¹

C13: from Old French cuard, from coue tail, from Latin cauda; perhaps suggestive of a frightened animal with its tail between its legs

Example Sentences

And the wedding itself was a glittering affair, with Noel Coward and Douglas Fairbanks Jr adding Hollywood sparkle and Queen Elizabeth II leading a procession of the royal families of Europe.

From BBC

Glasgow is proud of its shipbuilding working-class heritage, but Currie’s father was a classical musician and choral conductor while his mother had done some acting, and he remembers seeing her in Noël Coward plays.

From Los Angeles Times

Sacha Coward said he could not "continue in good faith" to participate in the event, which he said was supposed to "celebrate inclusion, not exclusion and division".

From BBC

He will play Algernon when the production transfers to the Noel Coward Theatre in London.

From BBC

Squid's latest single, Building 650, is out now and their new album, Cowards, is released on 7 February.

From BBC

Related Words

• wimp