white-livered

[ hwahyt-liv-erd, wahyt- ]

adjective

1. lacking courage; cowardly; lily-livered.
2. lacking in vitality or spirit; pale; unhealthy.

white-livered

adjective

1. lacking in spirit or courage
2. pallid and unhealthy in appearance

Word History and Origins

Origin of white-livered¹

First recorded in 1540–50

Example Sentences

If I live through this breach of habit, I shall be a white-livered puppy indeed.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothin', only you're a white-livered stinker, an' I'm jest a-spoilin' foh a fight with you-all.

From Project Gutenberg

"You take that rope off or I'll put daylight through you, you white-livered sneak," screamed the other man.

From Project Gutenberg

Five of them sprung up in a row, and none left to play booty or turn white-livered!

From Project Gutenberg

A white-livered Handloom as I dare say, or a son of a gun of a factory slave.

From Project Gutenberg