adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˌpjuːsɪlˈænɪməs/
/ˌpjuːsəlˈænəməs/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ænɪməs
CMU ARPABET:P Y UW0 S AH0 L AE1 N AH0 M AH0 S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Showing ignoble cowardice, or contemptible timidity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The soldier deserted his troop in a pusillanimous manner.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adjective satellite
Meaning 2
lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: poor-spirited, unmanly
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Derived from Latin pusillanimis (“faint-hearted, timid”) + -ous.
Across languages
Translations
31 source translations are retained for this English entry.
