ˈtim(ə)rəs adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French temoros, timoureus, from Medieval Latin timorosus, from Latin timor fear (from timēre to be afraid, fear) + -osus -ous
1.
a. : experiencing or showing fear or apprehension : afraid
the tunny is timorous when coming in to spawn — Alan Villiers
— sometimes used with of
one is timorous of change, another dissatisfied with the present — B.N.Cardozo
is occasionally unduly timorous of these rule-givers — Thomas Pyles
b. : fearful by nature or character : timid
a timorous incompetent who was lucky to have good men under him — W.A.Swanberg
2. : marked by or expressing timidity
spoke little, and generally in a timorous tone, as though silence had been enjoined — Arnold Bennett
Synonyms: see timid