/ ˈkaʊəd; NAmE -ərd/ noun
( disapproving ) a person who is not brave or who does not have the courage to do things that other people do not think are especially difficult :
You coward! What are you afraid of?
I'm a real coward when it comes to going to the dentist.
► cow·ard·ly adjective :
a cowardly attack on a defenceless man
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French couard , based on Latin cauda tail, possibly with reference to a frightened animal with its tail between its legs.