Cow″ard‐ly, a. 1. Wanting courage; basely or weakly timid or fearful; pusillanimous; spiritless.
The cowardly rascals that ran from the battle.
Shak.
2. Proceeding from fear of danger or other consequences; befitting a coward; dastardly; base; as, cowardly malignity. Macaulay.
The cowardly rashness of those who dare not look danger in the face.
Burke.
Syn. — Timid; fearful; timorous; dastardly; pusillanimous; recreant; craven; faint-hearted; chicken-hearted; white-livered.