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

"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

A niddering who flies for his life at the first approach of danger is not fit to wield a sceptre in these lands.

From The Last of the Vikings by Bowling, John

I am a Saxon, Jarl Hakon, and niddering would I be to sing of my country’s shame.

From A Maid at King Alfred?s Court by Madison, Lucy Foster

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

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