cowardly

comparative cowardlier · comparative more cowardly · superlative cowardliest · superlative most cowardly

1. Showing cowardice; lacking in courage; weakly fearful.

   1780, Edmund Burke, speech at The Guildhall, in Bristol The cowardly rashness of those who dare not look danger in the face.

   1 more example

   The cowardly rascals that ran from the battle.

   1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vii]

   Synonyms: craven, backboneless, base, soft, bitch-ass, boneless, caitiff, candy-assed

comparative more cowardly · superlative most cowardly

1. archaicIn the manner of a coward, cowardlily.

   We will not ſteale vpon him cowardly, But giue him warning and more warriours.

   c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene v

   2 more examples

   I love to follow them, but not so cowardly, as my life remaine thereby in subjection.

   1603, Michel de Montaigne, translated by John Florio, The Essayes […], book I, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC, page 48

   […] men who cowardly and hypocritically subscribe orthodox creeds, whilst they teach a different kind of doctrine!

   1828, John Paul, A Refutation of Arianism, page 20