pusillanimous
Use Pusillanimous in a sentence
səˈlæn adjective
1.
lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.
2.
proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.
Origin:
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
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
Related forms
pu·sil·lan·i·mous·ly, adverb
Synonyms
1. timorous, fearful, frightened.
1. timorous, fearful, frightened.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To pusillanimous
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Pusillanimous
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is rebuff. Does it mean:
| an embankment designed to prevent the flooding of a river. |
| A peremptory or unexpected rejection of advances or approaches. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
pusillanimous (ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| characterized by a lack of courage or determination | |
| [C16: from Late Latin pusillanimis from Latin pusillus weak +animus courage] | |
| pusillanimity | |
| —n | |
| pusil'lanimously | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
pusillanimous
late 14c. (implied in pusillanimity), from L.L. pusillanimis "having little courage" (used in Church L. to translate Gk. oligopsychos "small-souled"), from L. pusillis "very weak, little" (dim. of pullus "young animal") + animus "spirit, courage."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Active and indefatigable within its own range it recoils with a pusillanimous horror before whatever is new and untried.
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