Meanings
adjectivewhite-livered (comparative more white-livered, superlative most white-livered)
comparative more white-livered · superlative most white-livered
- archaicLily-livered; cowardly.
Some evil fellows said behind his back that Beowulf was white-livered and a slacker.
1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, “Beowulf”, in The Medieval Myths, New York: The New American Library, page 39 - archaicMalicious.
- archaicHaving a pale look, once thought to be caused by a white liver.
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveeasily frightened
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Cite this entry
APA
white-livered. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/white-livered
MLA
“white-livered.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/white-livered. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “white-livered,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/white-livered.
Source: white-livered on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.