lily-livered

English

Etymology

The first known use of lily-livered was in 1605. From the medieval belief that the liver was the seat of courage, and the pale color of the lily flower. A person who had no blood in their liver would have no courage and would thus be a coward.

Adjective

lily-livered (comparative more lily-livered, superlative most lily-livered)

1. (idiomatic) Cowardly, lacking bravery.
   • 1606, William Shakespeare, King Lear, act 2, sc. 2:

     . . . a lily-livered, action-taking knave . . . ; one that wouldst be a bawd, in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pandar, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch.

   • 1850, William Makepeace Thackeray, The History of Pendennis, ch. 61:

     "But as for that lily-livered sneak—that poor lyin' swindlin' cringin' cur of a Clavering—who stands in my shoes—stands in my shoes, hang him!"

Synonyms

• white-livered

Translations

cowardly

• Dutch: laf (nl)

• French: poltron (fr)