pusillanimous
Meaning
lacking courage; timid or cowardly.
Structure
Usage
his pusillanimous response to the crisis disappointed his supporters.
she rejected the pusillanimous policy of appeasement in favor of a more decisive stance.
the general criticized the troops for their pusillanimous retreat from a position they could have held.
Etymology
the word 'pusillanimous' has a direct and vivid lineage from latin. it is formed from the latin components pusillus (meaning 'very small') and animus (meaning 'spirit' or 'mind'), combined with the adjectival suffix -ous. literally, it translates to 'having a very small spirit'. this construction was used in late latin as pusillanimis, which passed into ecclesiastical latin before being adopted into english. the term's logic is transparent: it metaphorically equates courage with the size or strength of one's inner spirit, so a 'small-spirited' person is one who lacks bravery and resolve.
Analysis
- pusill: from latin pusillus, meaning 'very small, tiny'. - anim: from latin animus, meaning 'spirit, mind, courage'. - ous: a suffix forming adjectives, from latin -osus, meaning 'full of, characterized by'.