cower Hear it!

cower definition

cower (ko̵u′ər)

intransitive verb

  1. to crouch or huddle up, as from fear or cold
  2. to shrink and tremble, as from someone's anger, threats, or blows; cringe

Etymology: ME couren, prob. < ON base seen in Dan kūre, Sw kura, to squat; akin to Ger kauern < IE base *geu-, to curve, bend > cod, chicken

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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