Lily-livered Definition

Origin of Lily-livered

• The first known use of lily-livered was in 1605. From the medieval belief that the liver was the seat of courage, and the pale color of the lily flower. A person who had no blood in their liver would have no courage and would thus be a coward.

  From Wiktionary

• From lily pale, bloodless

  From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition