Adjacent Words

Pusillanimous definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PUSILLAN'IMOUS, a.
1. Destitute of that strength and firmness of mind which constitute courage, bravery and fortitude; being of weak courage; mean spirited; cowardly; applied to persons; as a pusillanimous prince.
2. Proceeding from weakness of mind or want of courage; feeble; as pusillanimous counsels.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful [syn: pusillanimous, poor- spirited, unmanly]

Merriam Webster's

adjective Etymology: Late Latin pusillanimis, from Latin pusillus very small (diminutive of pusus boy) + animus spirit; perhaps akin to Latin puer child — more at puerile, animate Date: 1586 lacking courage and resolution ; marked by contemptible timidity Synonyms: see cowardly • pusillanimously adverb

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. lacking courage; timid. Derivatives: pusillanimity n. pusillanimously adv. Etymology: eccl.L pusillanimis f. pusillus very small + animus mind

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Pusillanimous Pu`sil*lan"i*mous, a. [L. pusillannimis; pusillus very little (dim. of pusus a little boy; cf. puer a boy, E. puerile) + animus the mind: cf. F. pusillanime. See Animosity.] 1. Destitute of a manly or courageous strength and firmness of mind; of weak spirit; mean-spirited; spiritless; cowardly; -- said of persons, as, a pussillanimous prince.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

If you say that someone is pusillanimous, you mean that they are timid or afraid. (FORMAL) The authorities have been too pusillanimous in merely condemning the violence. = cowardly ? valiant ADJ [disapproval]

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. Cowardly, timorous, timid, feeble, recreant, dastardly, effeminate, spiritless, weak, mean-spirited, little-souled, faint-hearted.