coward English · revision 2066

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkaʊəd/, /ˈkaʊɚd/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|xno|couard]],^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) [[der|fro|coart]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(AHD) from ''coe'' “tail”,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) from Latin ''coda'',^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) a dialect form of [[la|cauda|t=tail]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) and the suffix [[-ard]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) English spelling was influenced by [[cow]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who shows ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain (before 1225).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The tail probably refers to a frightened animal turning tail or tucking its tail between its legs.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) In the Old French tales of Reynard the Fox, the hare is named ''Coart''.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) In English ''coward'' was also an old name for the hare,^(OED 1989) and for a cock that would not fight.^(OED 1989) As an adjective it is recorded from 1297.^(OED 1989) Italian ''codardo'' and Spanish ''cobarde'' were borrowed from French.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a1225 – one who lacks courage.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1297 – adjective, faint-hearted.^(OED 1989)

+ * c1300 – verb, to make afraid.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1481 – a spiritless racehorse.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who lacks courage in facing danger, pain or difficulty.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Lacking courage; cowardly.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[cowardly]]

+ * [[cowardice]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[coda]]

+ * [[queue]]

+ * [[craven]]

+ * [[poltroon]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}