pusillanimity
(ˌpjuːsɪlæˈnɪmɪtɪ)
Also 4–5 pusillamite, 5 -animite.
[a. F. pusillanimité (14th c. in Godef., pusillamité 14th c. in Gower, Mirour de l'omme), ad. eccl. L. pusillanimitās (4th c.), f. pusillanimis: see next.]
The quality or character of being pusillanimous; lack of courage or fortitude; pettiness of spirit; cowardliness, timidity.
| 1390 Gower Conf. III. 210 Bot it is Pusillamite, Which every Prince scholde flee. Ibid. II. 12, 25. c 1425 Orolog. Sapient. i. in Anglia X. 334/27 So þat sumtyme for þe pusillanimite and febelnesse of spiryte he wote neyþer wheþene hit comeþ or wheder hit goþ. 1534 More Comf. agst. Trib. ii. xiii. 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, iv. iii. 114 The Blood: which..left the Liuer white, and pale; which is the Badge of Pusillanimitie, and Cowardize. a 1653 Binning Serm. (1845) 529 It is a great weakness and pusillanimity to be soon angry. 1776 Mickle tr. Camoens' Lusiad. vii. 313 note, The..pusillanimity with which they have long submitted to the oppressions of a few Arabs. 1855 Milman Lat. Chr. xiv. vii. (1864) IX. 251 The shame of Germany at the pusillanimity of Louis of Bavaria wrought more strongly on German pride. |