Poltroon

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /pÉ’lˈtɹuːn/
• US IPA: /pÉ‘lˈtɹun/

Origin

From Middle French poltron, from Italian poltrone

Full definition of poltroon

Noun

1. An ignoble or total coward; a dastard; a mean-spirited wretch.
• 1842, Nicholas Michell, The Traduced: An Historical Romance‎, page 266-267"To gain life by means of a breach of faith and honour, were indeed to render myself the poltroon, and the villain my accusers believe me."

Synonyms

• (ignoble coward) craven, dastard

Adjective

1. Cowardly.
• 1926, T. E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of WisdomAccordingly, to excuse our deliberate inactivity in the north, we had to make a show of impotence, which gave them to understand that the Arabs were too poltroon to cut the line near Maan and keep it cut.