craven

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: poltroonrecreant

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. an abject cowardSynonyms: poltroonrecreant

Adjective (1)

  1. lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful“the craven fellow turned and ran”“a craven proposal to raise the white flag”“this recreant knight — Spenser”Synonyms: recreant
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Craven \Cra"ven\ (kr?"v'n), a. [OE. cravant, cravaunde, OF. cravant? struck down, p. p. of cravanter, crevanter, to break, crush, strike down, fr. an assumed LL. crepantare, fr. L. crepans, p. pr. of crepare to break, crack, rattle. Cf. Crevice, Crepitate.] Cowardly; fainthearted; spiritless. "His craven heart." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

The poor craven bridegroom said never a word. --Sir. W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

In craven fear of the sarcasm of Dorset. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

Craven \Cra"ven\, n. [Formerly written also cravant and cravent.] A recreant; a coward; a weak-hearted, spiritless fellow. See Recreant, n. [1913 Webster]

King Henry. Is it fit this soldier keep his oath? Fluellen. He is a craven and a villain else. --Shak.

Syn: Coward; poltroon; dastard. [1913 Webster]

Craven \Cra"ven\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cravened (-v'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Cravening.] To make recreant, weak, spiritless, or cowardly. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

There is a prohibition so divine, That cravens my weak hand. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

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