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pusillanimous

[ pyoo-suh-lan-uh-muhs ]
/ ˌpyu səˈlæn ə məs /
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adjective
lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.
proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.
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Origin of pusillanimous

1580–90; <Late Latin pusillanimis petty-spirited, equivalent to Latin pusill(us) very small, petty + -anim(is) -spirited, -minded (anim(us) spirit + -is adj. suffix); see -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM pusillanimous

pu·sil·lan·i·mous·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pusillanimous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pusillanimous

pusillanimous
/ (ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs) /

adjective
characterized by a lack of courage or determination

Derived forms of pusillanimous

pusillanimity (ˌpjuːsɪləˈnɪmɪtɪ), nounpusillanimously, adverb

Word Origin for pusillanimous

C16: from Late Latin pusillanimis from Latin pusillus weak + animus courage
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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