Pusillanimous

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pusillanimous \Pu`sil*lan"i*mous\, a. [L. pusillanimis; 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 pusillanimous prince.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Evincing, or characterized by, weakness of mind, and want
        of courage; feeble; as, pusillanimous counsels. "A low and
        pusillanimous spirit." --Burke.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: Cowardly; dastardly; mean-spirited; fainthearted; timid;
          weak; feeble.
          [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

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