Pusillanimous

Pronunciation

• IPA: /pjuːsɪlˈænɪmÉ™s/ or IPA: /pjuːsÉ™lˈænÉ™mÉ™s/
• Rhymes: -ænɪmÉ™s

Origin

Derived from Latin pusillus ("very small") + animus ("spirit").

Full definition of pusillanimous

Adjective

1. Showing ignoble cowardice, or contemptible timidityThe soldier deserted his troop in a pusillanimous manner.
• 1882 — Mark Twain, On the Decay of the Art of Lying http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2572/2572.txt.Therefore, the wise thing is for us diligently to train ourselves to lie thoughtfully, judiciously; to lie with a good object, and not an evil one; to lie for others' advantage, and not our own; to lie healingly, charitably, humanely, not cruelly, hurtfully, maliciously; to lie gracefully and graciously, not awkwardly and clumsily; to lie firmly, frankly, squarely, with head erect, not haltingly, tortuously, with pusillanimous mien, as being ashamed of our high calling.

Related terms

• pusillanimously
• pusillanimousness