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Cowardice

Allusions--Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary | 1986 | Copyright

136. Cowardice (See also Boastfulness, Timidity.)

Acres, Bob a swaggerer lacking in courage. [Br. Lit.: The Rivals ]
Bobadill, Captain vainglorious braggart, vaunts achievements while rationalizing faintheartedness. [Br. Lit.: Every Man in His Humour ]
chicken slang insult used toward the timid. [Western Folklore: Jobes, 322]
Conachar pathetically lacks courage. [Br. Lit.: The Fair Maid of Perth ]
Coup de Jarnac to hit a man while he is down. [Fr. Folklore: Espy, 62]
Cowardly Lion king of the forest has yellow streak up back. [Am. Lit.: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ]
Duke of Plaza-Toro always leads the retreat and is the first to hide from the enemy. [Br. Opera: Gilbert and Sullivan The Gondoliers ]
Falstaff, Sir John “the better part of valor is discretion.” [Br. Lit.: I Henry IV ]
Fleming, Henry young recruit, in his first battle, runs away in terror. [Am. Lit.: Stephen Crane The Red Badge of Courage ]
Indiana Volunteers during Mexican war, ran when action began. [Am. Hist.: Espy, 183]
Martano poltroon claiming credit for another’s feat. [Ital. Lit.: Orlando Furioso ]
Panurge rogue who in several adventures proves to be a great coward. [Fr. Lit.: Rabelais Gargantua and Pantagruel ]
Panza, Sancho always removes himself a safe distance from his master’s combats. [Span. Lit.: Cervantes Don Quixote ]
Police, the homeloving and fearful of death, reluctant to combat the pirate band. [Br. Opera: Gilbert and Sullivan The Pirates of Penzance ]
Rogue’s March played in British Army to expel dishonored soldier. [Br. Music: Scholes, 885]
Roister Doister, Ralph foolish suitor repulsed by widow with household utensil. [Br. Lit.: Ralph Roister Doister ]
Scaramouche stock character in commedia dell’arte; boastful poltroon. [Ital. Drama: Brewer Dictionary, 967]
yellow color symbolizing cowardice. [Western Culture: Misc.]

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"Cowardice." Allusions--Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. 1986. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505500145.html

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Cowardice

-Ologies and -Isms | 1986 | Copyright

102. Cowardice

invertebracy: the state or quality of being without a backbone, hence, metaphorically, spinelessness; lack of strength of character.
poltroonery: cowardice; cowardly behavior. —poltroon , n. —poltroonish , adj.
pusillanimity: a cowardly, irresolute, or fainthearted condition. —pusillanimous , adj.
recreancy: cowardice, treason, or disloyalty. —recreant , n., adj.

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cowardice

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

cow·ard·ice / ˈkou-ərdəs/ • n. lack of bravery.

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Cowardice

Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms | 1985 | Copyright

Cowardice

of curs-Bk. of St. Albans, 1486.

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cowardice

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

cowardice •abyss, amiss, bis, bliss, Chris, Diss, hiss, kiss, Majlis, miss, piss, reminisce, sis, Swiss, this, vis •dais •Powys, prowess •loess, Lois •Lewes, lewis •abbess • ibis •Anubis, pubis •cannabis • arabis • duchess • purchase •caddis, Gladys •Candice •Sardis, Tardis •vendace • Charybdis •bodice, goddess •demigoddess • Aldiss • jaundice •de profundis • prejudice • hendiadys •cowardice • stewardess • preface •Memphis • aphis • edifice • benefice •orifice • artifice • office •surface, surface-to-surface •undersurface • haggis • aegis •burgess •clerkess, Theodorákis •Colchis

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