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
pushrod, pushto, pushtu, pushy, pusillanimity, pusillanimous, puskas, puss, puss in the corner, puss moth, pussy
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
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
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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