Coward
/ˈkaʊ.ərd/noun
A person who lacks the courage to face danger, difficulty, or pain.
Did you know?The word 'coward' traces back to a time when it literally meant 'one who turns tail'—a reference to a frightened animal fleeing in fear!
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷou-
“to call or cry out, related to the sounds made by domesticated animals.”
Old French
Old French
couard
“a term for a person who is timid or fearful, derived from the act of cowering.”
Middle English
Middle English
coward
“used to describe someone lacking bravery, often in the context of battle.”
Modern English
English
coward
“continues to denote a person who lacks courage, often in the face of adversity.”