Where does “coward” come from?

Coward comes from Middle English coward, from Old French cuard, from Latin cauda meaning tail, from Proto-Italic kaudā, from Proto-Indo-European keh₂u-d-eh₂, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European keh₂w-.

coward (English): A person who lacks courage; Cowardly; Borne in...

Definitions

  1. A person who lacks courage; Cowardly; Borne in...

Ancestry of “coward”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishcowardcoward, knave
2Old Frenchcoarta coward; cowardly
3Old French-ardpejorative agent noun
4Frankish-hardhardy, bold
5Proto-Germanicharduzhard; brave
6Proto-Indo-Europeankert-times; to weave, twist together; time
7Proto-Turkic*keŕ-to travel, tour
Every word from Proto-Turkic *keŕ- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European kert- →Every word from Proto-Germanic harduz →