I. päl.ˈtrün noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French poultron, from Old Italian poltrone, aug. of poltro colt, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin pullitrus (whence Late Latin polletrus ), irregular from Latin pullus young of an animal — more at foal
: a spiritless coward : a mean-spirited wretch : craven , dastard
lily-livered poltroons lacking even the meager courage of a rabbit — P.G.Wodehouse
II. adjective
: characterized by complete cowardice
Synonyms: see cowardly