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 Word Forms

• 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.

Example Sentences

His hangout is by the stationary bicycles, where he develops a rapport with Trump’s most craven enablers.

From Salon

Webb and screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson had two options: Mimic the 1937 cartoon shot for shot and be slammed for the craven inessentiality of such an exercise, or change anything and face fans’ wrath.

From Los Angeles Times

The craven implication is that civil rights for a minority of students is somehow a distraction from improving educational outcomes.

From Salon

Chris Parry, a former Nato commander, also told Times Radio that the decision to rename the submarine was "craven political correctness and ideology gone mad".

From BBC

We would not wish to emulate their most craven tactics, of course, but could learn something from their strategic resolve.

From Salon

Related Words

• mean-spirited