RECREANT

adj. & n. literary

--adj.

1. craven, cowardly.

2 apostate.

--n.

1. a coward.

2 an apostate.

Derivatives:

recreancy n. recreantly adv.

Etymology: ME f. OF, part. of recroire f. med.L (se) recredere yield in trial by combat (as RE-, credere entrust)