cower
[kou-er]
verb (used without object)
to crouch, as in fear or shame.
Origin of cower
1250–1300; Middle English couren; cognate with Norwegian, Swedish kūra, Middle Low German kūren, German kauern
Synonyms for cower
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for cowered
skulk, crouch, cringe, flinch, recoil, wince, tremble, fawn, kowtow, sneak, grovel, honey, blench, bootlick, toady, quail, shrink, truckle, apple-polishExamples from the Web for cowered
Contemporary Examples of cowered
For over an hour a gun battle raged between them and my guards as I cowered inside my car, not knowing if I would live or die.
Historical Examples of cowered
If ever one cowered visibly in this world, Hamish Channing did then.
The ChanningsMrs. Henry Wood
Jonas shrunk from looking at him, and cowered down into the chair by which he had held.
Life And Adventures Of Martin ChuzzlewitCharles Dickens
Sim cowered in a corner of the box, with his lank fingers in his long hair.
The Shadow of a CrimeHall Caine
He glared at Nat Burns, who cowered silent and miserable in his corner.
The Harbor of DoubtFrank Williams
She turned on him, silent, a moment: he cowered and evaded her eyes.
cower
verb
Word Origin for cower
C13: from Middle Low German kūren to lie in wait; related to Swedish kura to lie in wait, Danish kure to squat
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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cower
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper