Category:Craven

Cra"ven (kr"v'n), a. Etym: [OE. cravant, cravaunde, OF. cravant struck down, p. p. of cravanter, crevanter, to break, crush, strike down, fr. an assumed LL. crepantare, fr. L. crepans, p. pr. of crepare to break, crack, rattle. Cf. Crevice, Crepitate.]

Defn: Cowardly; fainthearted; spiritless. "His craven heart." Shak. The poor craven bridegroom said never a word. Sir. W. Scott. In craven fear of the sarcasm of Dorset. Macualay.

craven Cra"ven, n. Etym: [Formerly written also cravant and cravent.]

Defn: A recreant; a coward; a weak-hearted, spiritless fellow. See Recreant, n. King Henry. Is it fit this soldier keep his oath Fluellen.He is a craven and a villain else. Shak.

Syn. -- Coward; poltroon; dastard.

craven Cra"ven, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cravened (-v'nd);p. pr. & vb. n. Cravening.]

Defn: To make recreant, weak, spiritless, or cowardly. [Obs.] There is a prohibition so divine, That cravens my weak hand. Shak.