Pusillanimous (Word of the week)

 This week we have a short entry for a long word.

Pusillanimous first appeared in its current spelling in 1586, but can be traced back in the English language to the noun pusillamite which appeared in 1393.

It originates from the Latin pusillus meaning small or little and animus, meaning spirit or courage. So literally pusillanimous means little courage.

The dictionary defination is that it is an adjective meaning cowardly or mean.

And to see pusillanimous in action, here it is, guest starring in an Elizabeth Barrett Browning Poem:

Cheerfulness taught by reason
I think we are too ready with complaint
In this fair world of God's. Had we no hope
Indeed beyond the zenith and the slope
Of yon gray blank of sky, we might grow faint
To muse upon eternity's constraint
Round our aspirant souls; but since the scope
Must widen early, is it well to droop,
For a few days consumed in loss and taint ?
O pusillanimous Heart, be comforted
And, like a cheerful traveller, take the road
Singing beside the hedge. What if the bread
Be bitter in thine inn, and thou unshod
To meet the flints ? At least it may be said
' Because the way is short, I thank thee, God. '

Sources: 
Chambers Dictionary of Etymology, 2010
Chambers Concise Dictionary, 1989
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cheerfulness-taught-by-reason/ 
[accessed 16.03.2011]


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