Pronunciation: [pêl-'trun]
Definition: An abject coward.
Usage: The noun is "poltroonery" and the adjective, "poltroonish." Sometimes we need a way to dull the edge of an offensive term; other times, we need a whet to sharpen it. "Poltroon" makes a deeper cut than mere "coward," though its effect is undermined by its funny sound.
Suggested Usage: U.S. football enthusiasts might say, spraying the TV with pretzel bits, "What a gaggle of poltroons those line-backers are! Won't they ever charge the line?" But poltroonery is no more appalling on the playing field than in the workplace: "Don't you think calling five rounds of lay-offs 'right-sizing' a bit poltroonish? Wouldn't 'results of managerial fallibility' be more manly?"
Dastard (Noun)
Pronunciation: ['dæs-têrd]
Definition: Originally this word referred to a dullard, dimwit or sot but in the 16th century it began to be used to mean "despicable coward," where it stands today.
Usage: The adjective "dastardly" is used most frequently today. The quality of a dastard is "dastardliness."
Suggested Usage: Guess which inappropriate word today's can replace in your anger vocabulary? "The rotten dastard introduced his new girlfriend to Selma as his cousin, rather than tell Selma he had broken off with her. Next, the dastardly rapscallion slipped out the back door when the two women began talking to each other." (Believe it or not, "rapscallion" comes from "rascal" via obsolete "rascallion" and not vice versa.) Just remember a dastard is a coward, not merely a scoundrel.
0 评论:
发表评论