pusillanimous

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.

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See pusillanimous in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. timid, cowardly, or irresolute; fainthearted
  2. 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:

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

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Related Forms:

  • puˌsil·lanˈi·mous·ly adverb

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