pusillanimity

Advancedzipf 1.09

Pronunciation

/ˌpjuːsɪləˈnɪmɪti/(pyoo-sil-uh-NIM-ih-tee)

Part of speech

nounformal

Chinese

胆怯；怯懦

Definition

Lack of courage or determination; timidity.

Word family

  • pusillanimous/ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs/(adj)胆小的

Collocations

  • moral pusillanimity
  • political pusillanimity
  • accused of pusillanimity
  • sheer pusillanimity

Examples

  1. 1.The general's pusillanimity in refusing to commit troops cost them the strategic advantage. (cowardice)
  2. 2.History often judges leaders not for bold failures but for the pusillanimity of inaction. (timidity)

Synonyms

  • cowardice/ˈkaʊədɪs/— lack of bravery
  • timidity/tɪˈmɪdɪti/— lack of confidence
  • cravenness/ˈkreɪvənnəs/— despicable cowardice

Etymology

from Latin "pusillanimitas" — pusillus (very small) + animus (spirit) — having a very small spirit