Word of the day: pusillanimous
Feb. 22nd, 2004 08:45 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dirtylibrarianMain Entry: pu·sil·lan·i·mous
Pronunciation: -'la-n&-m&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin pusillanimis, from Latin
pusillus very small (diminutive of pusus boy) + animus
spirit; perhaps akin to Latin puer child -- more at
PUERILE, ANIMATE
: lacking courage and resolution : marked by
contemptible timidity
synonym see COWARDLY
- pu·sil·lan·i·mous·ly adverb
A friend taught me this word the other day. Apparently this is where we get the term pussy...not as in vagina, but referring to a coward. I always assumed they were related, but perhaps not.
Best use in a poem or sentence gets my applause.
Pronunciation: -'la-n&-m&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin pusillanimis, from Latin
pusillus very small (diminutive of pusus boy) + animus
spirit; perhaps akin to Latin puer child -- more at
PUERILE, ANIMATE
: lacking courage and resolution : marked by
contemptible timidity
synonym see COWARDLY
- pu·sil·lan·i·mous·ly adverb
A friend taught me this word the other day. Apparently this is where we get the term pussy...not as in vagina, but referring to a coward. I always assumed they were related, but perhaps not.
Best use in a poem or sentence gets my applause.
