coward

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A person who lacks courage.

   Near-synonyms: big baby, baby

2. 2
   adj

   Cowardly.

   It is a coward and servile humour, for a man to disguise and hide himselfe under a maske, and not dare to shew himselfe as he is.

3. 3
   verb

   To intimidate.

   The first he coped with was their captain, whom / His sword sent headless to seek out a tomb. / This cowarded the valour of the rest, […]

4. 4
   noun

   a person who shows fear or timidity

5. 5
   adj

   Borne in the escutcheon with his tail doubled between his legs.

6. 6
   name

   A surname originating as an occupation.

Etymology

From Middle English coward, from Old French coart, cuard ( > French couard), from coue (“tail”), coe + -ard (pejorative agent noun suffix); coue, coe is in turn from Latin cauda. The reference seems to be to an animal "turning tail", or having its tail between its legs, especially a dog. Compare the expression tail between one's legs. Displaced native Old English earg (surviving in northern dialect English argh). Unrelated to cower, which is of Germanic origin.