pusillanimous

adj

Etymology: Derived from Latin pusillanimis (“faint-hearted, timid”) + -ous.

1. Showing ignoble cowardice, or contemptible timidity.

   “The soldier deserted his troop in a pusillanimous manner.”

   “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.”