pusillanimus

Pusillanimus is an adjective in English derived from Latin, meaning lacking courage, timid, or faint-hearted. The related noun forms are pusillanimity (the state or quality of being pusillanimous) and, less commonly, pusillanimousness. The term conveys moral judgment as much as simple fear, suggesting a small or petty spirit rather than only momentary fright.

Etymology and classical usage trace the word to Latin pusillus, meaning "small," and animus, meaning "mind" or "spirit." In classical Latin, pusillanimus described someone of small spirit or meager resolve, often with connotations of cowardice or ingratitude. In English, the word appeared in early modern texts and has since retained a formal, sometimes archaic, tone, appearing in moral, religious, or philosophical discourse and in literary criticism.

Usage and nuance: pusillanimus implies more than momentary fear; it denotes a deficiency of courage, generosity of spirit, or moral boldness. It is frequently used to criticize hesitancy or mean-spirited timidity in public or ethical matters, and it is often contrasted with magnanimous or courageous behavior. In contemporary writing, it is mainly found in historical, classical, or rhetorical contexts and is less common in everyday speech.

Related terms include magnanimity (the quality of being generous and noble in spirit), courage, and cowardice. The word carries a strongly evaluative sense and is typically reserved for formal or literary usage rather than neutral description.