niddering

American  

[nid-er-ing] / ˈnɪd ər ɪŋ /

noun

Archaic.

1. a coward.

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niddering British  

/ ˈnɪdərɪŋ /

noun

1. a coward

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adjective

1. cowardly

Etymology

Origin of niddering

First recorded in 1590–1600; variant of nidering, which is a variant of niding, from nithing, from Old Norse nídhingr “villain, scoundrel, apostate.” The form niddering arose from a misreading of the letter ð (pronounced eth or edh, representing the th- sounds of thin and then ) as an abbreviation for der

Example Sentences

Should we be vile and niddering enough to gain no honour on the field, very surely we shall receive yet more shame as our portion when we come into his presence.

From Arthurian Chronicles: Roman de Brut by Mason, Eugene

"Take shield," he said, "and, Earl, on thine own head be thy blood, for none shall live to call Eric niddering and coward."

From Eric Brighteyes by Haggard, Henry Rider

I told her plainly; otherwise it would have surely seemed that it was a niddering sort of habit of mine, and unworthy of a warrior in a king's friendly hall.

From A King's Comrade A Story of Old Hereford by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)

Atli was deceived by her, and not until I had cut him down in anger at the bitter words he spoke, calling me coward and niddering, did he know the truth.

From Eric Brighteyes by Haggard, Henry Rider

Thou hast called me pestilent, niddering,   And weakling: yet I boast me better far   Than thou in wit and speech, which things increase   The strength of men.

From The Fall of Troy by Way, Arthur Sanders