Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » pusillanimous

pusillanimous

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of pusillanimous is lacking in courage, strength or determination.

(adjective)

A person afraid to make decisions for himself is an example of someone who would be described as pusillanimous.

See pusillanimous in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

timid, cowardly, or irresolute; fainthearted
proceeding from or showing a lack of courage

Origin: LL(Ec) pusillanimis < L pusillus, tiny (dim. of pusus, little boy, akin to puer: see puerile) + animus, the mind (see animal) + -ous

Related Forms:

pusillanimity noun
pusillanimously adverb

See pusillanimous in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Lacking courage; cowardly.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English pusillanimus

Origin: , from Late Latin pusillanimis

Origin: : Latin pusillus, weak

Origin: , diminutive of pullus, young of an animal; see pau-¹ in Indo-European roots

Origin: + animus, reason, mind; see anə- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

puˌsil·lanˈi·mous·ly adverb

Learn more about pusillanimous

pusillanimous synonyms

pusillanimous in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD