Words / C2

pyoos-i-LAN-im-uh-s/ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs/

Pusillanimous means showing a contemptible lack of courage (formal / disapproving): a pusillanimous skip, pusillanimous delay. A coward (already in the dictionary) is everyday a person too afraid to act; craven (already in the dictionary) is contemptibly cowardly — the close twin. Brave, bold, and fearless (already in the dictionary) are the opposite flavour; doughty and intrepid (already in the dictionary) are brave and persistent, and fearless sometimes wry. This batch: puissant and redoubtable are powerful, and formidable. Skipping the flame-risk line is still a hole.

Meaning

Showing a contemptible lack of courage (formal / disapproving).

Examples

• “A pusillanimous skip of the flame-risk line is still a hole in the minute.”
• “A coward is a person too afraid to act (already in B2). Craven is cowardly (already in C2). Brave is ready to face danger (already in A2). Bold is brave and confident (already in B1). Fearless is without fear (already in C1). Doughty is brave and persistent (already in C2). Intrepid is fearless (already in C2) — the contrast. Puissant is powerful (this batch). Redoubtable is formidable (this batch). A dated finding can still be calm. Delay that never numbers the risk is a hole. Write the line; leave the shrug.”

Good to know

Contemptibly timid (formal). Everyday: coward / brave (already in this dictionary). Close: craven (already in C2). Contrast: bold / fearless / doughty / intrepid (already in this dictionary). This batch: puissant / redoubtable. A skip ≠ a minute.

Near in meaning

craven, cowardly, timid, faint-hearted

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