coward
UK[ˈkaʊəd]US[ˈkaʊərd]
n
A person who is not brave and is too eager to avoid danger, difficulty, or pain.
Etymology
The word 'coward' entered English in the 13th century from the Old French 'coart', which itself derived from 'coe', meaning 'tail'. The semantic link is metaphorical: the image is of an animal, like a frightened dog or rabbit, turning tail and running away. This Old French term is thought to have roots in the Latin 'cauda', also meaning 'tail'. The journey from the literal 'tail' to the abstract concept of 'one who shows fear' is a classic example of a vivid, descriptive metaphor solidifying into a fixed lexical meaning.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Old French. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into productive morphemes in modern English based on its current spelling.
Examples
He was called a coward for refusing to fight.
Don't be such a coward; it's only a spider.
She accused the government of cowardice in the face of public protest.