pusillanimity

[pyoo-suh-luh-nim-i-tee]

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noun

the state or condition of being pusillanimous; timidity; cowardliness.

Nearby words

Origin of pusillanimity

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word pusillanimitās. See pusillanimous, -ity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pusillanimity

Once again, Republican pusillanimity in the face of gun fanaticism threatens to gut sane gun legislation in Congress.
Pro-Gun Absolutism: The Gun Lobby’s Push to Privatize Law and Order|Will Marshall|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps he had heard of Winch's pusillanimity, and understood the spirit which prompted Frank to fill his place.
The Drummer Boy|John Trowbridge
We think one custom the result of pusillanimity, when the nerves are relaxed and our bodies fatigued.
Letters To Eugenia|Paul Henri Thiry Holbach
In all this there is great moral cowardice, pusillanimity, and want of manly independence of character.
Character|Samuel Smiles

"'Twill be a sort of decent suicide without the element of pusillanimity," he thought to himself.
The Grandissimes|George Washington Cable
Prague was not irretrievably lost when Frederick's pusillanimity abandoned it.
The Thirty Years War, Complete|Friedrich Schiller

Word Origin and History for pusillanimity

pusillanimity

late 14c., from Middle French pusillanimité (14c.), from Church Latin pusillanimitatem (nominative pusillanimitas) "faintheartedness," from Latin pusillanimis "fainthearted, having little courage" (see pusillanimous).

pusillanimity

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of pusillanimity

Examples from the Web for pusillanimity

pusillanimity