cowardnessEtymologyFrom Middle English cowardnesse; equivalent to coward + -ness.nounThe state, quality, or condition of being a coward.“Bycauſe they beleue, yf annye man be fearefull and faynte harted of nature, he wyll not onelye doo no manfull and hardye act hym ſelfe, but alſo by occaſyon of cowardenes to hys fellowes.”