Middle English Dictionary Entry
pusillanimitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pusillanimitẹ̄ n. Also (?error) pusillamite. |
| Etymology | OF; also cp. L pusillanimitas. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Faint-heartedness, timidity.
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.314 : Touchende of Slowthe in his degre, Ther is yit Pusillamite, Which is to seie..He that hath litel of corage And dar no mannes werk beginne.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.3527 : A king schal be pitous; Bot..if he be doubtous To slen in cause of rihtwisnesse, It mai be said no Pitousnesse, Bot it is Pusillamite, Which every Prince scholde flee.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)162b/b : Þe pacient for his pusillanimitee [Ch.(2): for false herte; L propter..pusillanimitatem], i. waikenez of hert, were nouȝt hardy or bolde for to abide þe fire.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)334/27 : Þanne mye sowle beginneþ for to slumbre for hevinesse, so þat sumtyme, for þe pusillanimite and febelnesse of spiryte, he wote neyþer wheþene hit comeþ or wheder hit goþ.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)27/24 : Pusillanymyte, þat is, vnboldenesse..is whan a man haþ a manere drede to bygynne and dar nout..for þei weneþ þat þe erþe wole faile hem.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)82.285 (v.2:p.94) : They shuld .. feithfully prechyn the brennyng lawe with brennyng tungis withoute pusillanimite or feyntnesse of hert.
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)80/11 : Twelfly is that he be..bolde, with-out drede and pusillanimite [Lambeth: fayntnesse of corage].
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)87/39 : Victory may not come till þat pusillamyte and feyntise of hertis be ouercome.