craven

[ krey-vuhn ]

adjective

1. cowardly; contemptibly timid; pusillanimous.

   Synonyms: timorous, fearful, dastardly

noun

1. a coward.

verb (used with object)

1. to make cowardly.

craven

/ ˈkreɪvən /

adjective

1. cowardly; mean-spirited

noun

1. a coward

Derived Forms

• ˈcravenness, noun
• ˈcravenly, adverb

Other Words From

• craven·ly adverb
• craven·ness noun
• un·craven adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of craven¹

1175–1225; Middle English cravant, cravaunde defeated < Old French craventé, past participle of cravanter to crush, overwhelm (< Vulgar Latin *crepantāre ), influenced by Middle English creaunt defeated ( recreant )

Word History and Origins

Origin of craven¹

C13 cravant, probably from Old French crevant bursting, from crever to burst, die, from Latin crepāre to burst, crack

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cry craven, to yield; capitulate; give up.

Related Words

• mean-spirited