The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Cowardice \Cow"ard*ice\ (-[i^]s), n. [F. couardise, fr. couard.
   See Coward.]
   Want of courage to face danger; extreme timidity;
   pusillanimity; base fear of danger or hurt; lack of spirit.
   [1913 Webster]

         The cowardice of doing wrong.            --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]

         Moderation was despised as cowardice.    --Macaulay.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

cowardice
    n 1: the trait of lacking courage [syn: cowardice,
         cowardliness] [ant: braveness, bravery, courage,
         courageousness]