Noah Webster
Coward
COWARD, noun [Latin]
1. A person who wants courage to meet danger; a poltroon; a timid or pusillanimous man.
A coward does not always escape with disgrace, but sometimes loses his life.
2. In heraldry, a term given to a lion borne in the escutcheon with his tail doubled between his legs.
COWARD, adjective
1. Destitute of courage; timid; base; as a coward wretch.
2. Proceeding from or expressive of fear, or timidity; as coward cry; coward joy.