Pusillanimous
/ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs/noun
Showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.
Did you know?Pusillanimous comes from Latin pusillus (“very small”) + animus (“mind, spirit, courage”), so the insult was originally a diagnosis of a shrunken spirit, not just simple shyness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂enh₁-
“to breathe, blow”
Latin
Latin
anima
“breath, soul, life”
Latin
Latin
animus
“mind, spirit, courage, intention”
Latin
Latin
pusillus animus
“very small spirit; timid disposition”
Late Latin
Latin
pusillanimus
“cowardly, faint-hearted”
Middle English
English
pusillanime
“timid, cowardly”
Modern English
English
pusillanimous
“lacking courage or resolution”