niddering
Definition
Noun (archaic):
- A cowardly or despicable person: "niddering" refers to an individual considered base, ignoble, or contemptible due to lack of courage or moral integrity.
- A wretch: A person regarded with strong disapproval, often for dishonourable behaviour.
Adjective (archaic):
- Cowardly or base: Describing someone or something characterized by ignobility, cowardice, or moral weakness.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- In the old saga, the king called the traitor a niddering for abandoning his comrades in battle. (A contemptible, cowardly person.)
- He was branded a niddering after he refused to defend his family's honour. (A person seen as base and dishonourable.)
Adjective:
- The niddering act of fleeing the battlefield brought shame upon his clan. (A cowardly or base action.)
Advanced Usage
"to call someone a niddering": to denounce someone as cowardly or ignoble.
- The chieftain called him a niddering in front of the entire tribe. (Publicly accused him of being a coward.)
"niddering soul": a person's character marked by cowardice.
- No niddering soul would dare to speak the truth. (A cowardly person.)
Variants and Related Words
- Nidering (n, archaic): an alternative spelling of "niddering," with the same meaning.
- The old text used the spelling "nidering" for the same concept.
Synonyms
- Coward: a person who lacks courage.
- Wretch: an unfortunate or despicable person.
- Poltroon (archaic): a coward.
- Dastard (archaic): a mean or cowardly person.
Related Idioms
- To be a niddering at heart: to be inherently cowardly or base.
- He may appear brave, but he is a niddering at heart. (His true nature is cowardly.)
Notes on Usage
This word is archaic and rarely used in modern English. It appears primarily in historical literature, medieval romances, or texts imitating old-fashioned style. It carries a strong pejorative sense, implying both cowardice and moral degradation.