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Coward redirects here. For other meanings including as a surname, see coward (disambiguation).

Cowardice is the characteristic of submitting to fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. It is viewed as a negative characteristic and is almost generally frowned upon (see norms) within most, if not all global cultures, while courage is generally rewarded and encouraged.

Military Law

Acts of cowardice have long been punishible by military law, and covers a wide range of offenses such as desertion in face of the enemy and surrending to the enemy against orders, the punishment for such acts is typically severe ranging from corporal punishment to the death sentence. Cowardly conduct is specifically mentioned within the United States Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Etymology

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word "coward" comes from an Old French word coart (modern French couard), a combination of the word for "tail" and an agent noun suffix. It would therefore have meant "one with a tail" — perhaps one in the habit of turning it, or it may be derived from the dog's habit of putting its tail between its legs when it is afraid.^{citation needed} It is possible that the English language was enriched in such manner through military contacts with the French, or with the French-influenced Normans that invaded England in 1066.^{citation needed}

The English surname Coward (as in Noel Coward), however, has the same origin and meaning as the word "cowherd".

See also

References

External links

Look up Cowardice in
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