poltroon

[ pol-troon ]

noun

1. a wretched coward; craven.

   Synonyms: dastard

adjective

1. marked by utter cowardice.

poltroon

/ pɒlˈtruːn /

noun

1. an abject or contemptible coward

adjective

1. a rare word for cowardly

Other Words From

• pol·trooner·y noun
• pol·troonish adjective
• pol·troonish·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of poltroon¹

1520–30; earlier pultrowne, pultron, poultroone < Middle French poultron < Old Italian poltrone idler, coward, derivative of poltro foal < Vulgar Latin *pulliter, derivative of Latin pullus young animal; foal

Word History and Origins

Origin of poltroon¹

C16: from Old French poultron, from Old Italian poltrone lazy good-for-nothing, apparently from poltrīre to lie indolently in bed, from poltro bed

Example Sentences

Elon is a cretin, a poltroon and has the fragile ego of Donald Trump.

From Salon

What a miserable little poltroon had fear, engendered of unjust punishment, made of me in those days!

From Literature

“Doesn’t involve destruction? That’s like me asking you not to be a mealy-mouthed poltroon.”

From Literature

“Do you think I’m a poltroon?” he asked, the way a young girl might ask whether her dress was unflattering.

From Literature

“I think it’s a kind of mushroom,” said Lazlo, who knew very well what poltroon meant.

From Literature