pusillanimous
[ pyoo-suh-lan-uh-muhs ]
/ ˌpyu səˈlæn ə məs /
adjective
lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.
proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.
Nearby words
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
SYNONYMS FOR pusillanimous
Related formspu·sil·lan·i·mous·ly, adverb
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for pusillanimous
British Dictionary definitions for pusillanimous
pusillanimous
/ (ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs) /
adjective
characterized by a lack of courage or determination
Derived Formspusillanimity (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
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Word Origin and History for pusillanimous
pusillanimous
early 15c., from Late Latin pusillanimis "having little courage" (used in Church Latin to translate Greek oligopsychos "small-souled"), from Latin pusillis "very weak, little" (diminutive of pullus "young animal;" see foal (n.)) + animus "spirit, courage" (see animus). Related: Pusillanimously; pusillanimousness.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper