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Definition of pusillanimous - 4 dictionary results
pu⋅sil⋅lan⋅i⋅mous
[pyoo-suh-lan-uh-muh
s] 
–adjective
| 1. | lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid. |
| 2. | proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit. |
Origin:
1580–90; < LL pusillanimis petty-spirited, equiv. to L pusill(us) very small, petty + -anim(is) -spirited, -minded (anim(us) spirit + -is adj. suffix); see -ous
1580–90; < LL pusillanimis petty-spirited, equiv. to L 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. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To pusillanimous
| pu·sil·lan·i·mous (pyōō'sə-lān'ə-məs) adj. Lacking courage; cowardly. [Middle English pusillanimus, from Late Latin pusillanimis : Latin pusillus, weak, diminutive of pullus, young of an animal; see pau-1 in Indo-European roots + animus, reason, mind; see anə- in Indo-European roots.] pu'sil·lan'i·mous·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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. 2. Evincing, or characterized by, weakness of mind, and want of courage; feeble; as, pusillanimous counsels. "A low and pusillanimous spirit." --Burke. Syn: Cowardly; dastardly; mean-spirited; fainthearted; timid; weak; feeble.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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pusillanimous
1390 (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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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