pusillanimous Meaning, Definition & Usage

adjective satellite lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful
poor-spirited; unmanly.

L. pusillannimis; pusillus very little (dim. of pusus a little boy; cf. puer a boy, E. puerile) + animus the mind: cf. F. pusillanime. See Animosity.

Destitute of a manly or courageous strength and firmness of mind; of weak spirit; mean-spirited; spiritless; cowardly; -- said of persons, as, a pussillanimous prince.
Evincing, or characterized by, weakness of mind, and want of courage; feeble; as, pusillanimous counsels. "A low and pusillanimous spirit." Burke. Syn. -- Cowardly; dastardly; mean-spirited; fainthearted; timid; weak; feeble.