cowardly
adjective
- showing cowardice
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈkaʊədli/
adj
Etymology: From Middle English *cowardly (adjective) and cowardly (adverb), equivalent to coward + -ly. Displaced native Old English earg.
- Showing cowardice; lacking in courage; weakly fearful.
“The cowardly rascals that ran from the battle.”
“1780, Edmund Burke, speech at The Guildhall, in Bristol The cowardly rashness of those who dare not look danger in the face.”
adv
Etymology: From Middle English *cowardly (adjective) and cowardly (adverb), equivalent to coward + -ly. Displaced native Old English earg.
- In the manner of a coward, cowardlily.
“We will not ſteale vpon him cowardly, But giue him warning and more warriours.”
“I love to follow them, but not so cowardly, as my life remaine thereby in subjection.”