A Word With You
June 8th, 2009
pu⋅sil⋅lan⋅i⋅mous
ˌpyu səˈlæn ə [pyoo-suh-lan-uh-muh s]–adjective
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1. |
lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid. |
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2. |
proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit. |
Origin:
1580–90; < LL pusillanimis petty-spirited, equiv. to L pusill(us) very small, petty + -anim(is) -spirited, -minded (anim(us) spirit + -is adj. suffix); see -ous
I know I’m usually going on about words that sound or appear like their definitions, but this particular word raises another thought. For some odd reason I often (if temporarily) get this word confused with its near antonym: pugilism. Of course, pugilism means: the practice, sport, or profession of boxing, pretty far away from talk of cowardice or timidity. Must be that PU thing. Seriously though, pusillanimous is another one of those wonderfully veiled criticism type words. It’s a great way to call someone a wimp without actually doing it. Try it sometime. Just don’t use it on a pugilist.
Grammar Punk Sentence: P A 4 Pro Interj.
“Hey, get back here you pusillanimous little pipsqueak! Janice yelled at the quickly escaping opossum, “That’s my cupcake!”
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