/ ˈkreɪvn; NAmE / adjective
( formal , disapproving ) lacking courage
SYN cowardly
OPP brave
► craven·ly adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English cravant defeated , perhaps via Anglo-Norman French from Old French cravante , past participle of cravanter crush, overwhelm, based on Latin crepare burst. The change in the ending in the 17th cent. was due to association with past participles ending in -en (see -en ).