cowed
UK[kaʊd]US[kaʊd]
adj
frightened or made to feel less confident by someone or something
Etymology
the adjective 'cowed' originates from the verb 'cow', meaning to intimidate. the verb itself has a scandinavian origin, likely from old norse 'kúga', meaning to oppress or subdue. entering middle english, it evolved to describe the act of frightening someone into submission, much like a dominant animal might subdue others. the past participle form 'cowed' thus came to function as an adjective describing the state of being intimidated or dispirited.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived from the past participle of the verb 'cow'.
Examples
the protesters were cowed by the show of force from the authorities.
she refused to be cowed by the criticism and continued her work.
his bullying manner cowed the younger students into silence.