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The state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine (literally or figuratively)); cowardice.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
the quality of lacking a strong character; an irresolute disposition
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: meekness, subduedness
Etymology tree English spineless Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English spinelessness From spineless + -ness.
Across languages
Translations
10 source translations are retained for this English entry.
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German:
Rückgratlosigkeit
— state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
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German:
Willenlosigkeit
— state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
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Hungarian:
gerinctelenség
— state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
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Polish:
bezkręgowość
— state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
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Russian:
бесхара́ктерность
(besxarákternostʹ)
— state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
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Russian:
мягкоте́лость
(mjaxkotélostʹ)
— state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
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Russian:
безво́лие
(bezvólije)
— state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
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Russian:
слабохара́ктерность
(slaboxarákternostʹ)
— state or quality of being spineless (not having a spine)
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Polish:
tchórzliwość
— cowardice
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Polish:
tchórzostwo
— cowardice