recreancy
Definition
- Noun:
- Cowardice or lack of courage: "recreancy" refers to a state of being cowardly or lacking the bravery to fulfill one's duties or obligations.
- Betrayal or disloyalty: It also denotes the act of being unfaithful, treacherous, or abandoning a cause, principle, or allegiance.
Usage Examples
- (His cowardice during a dangerous situation was clear.)
- (His disloyalty and betrayal of a sworn duty.)
Advanced Usage
"to display recreancy": to show cowardice or disloyalty.
- The general's recreancy during the siege led to the fortress's fall. (His lack of courage or betrayal caused the loss.)
"an act of recreancy": a specific instance of cowardice or betrayal.
- Signing the treaty without consulting allies was an act of recreancy. (A disloyal or cowardly action.)
Variants and Related Words
- Recreant (adj/noun): cowardly or disloyal; a person who is cowardly or unfaithful.
- The recreant soldier was dismissed from the army. (The cowardly soldier was removed.)
- He was labeled a recreant for abandoning his comrades. (He was called a traitor.)
Synonyms
- Cowardice: lack of bravery.
- Treachery: betrayal of trust.
- Faintheartedness: timidity or lack of resolution.
Related Idioms
To turn tail: to run away from danger or difficulty, often associated with cowardice.
- When the enemy approached, the guard turned tail in recreancy. (He fled in a cowardly manner.)
To stab someone in the back: to betray someone who trusts you.
- His recreancy was a stab in the back to his closest allies. (His betrayal was a treacherous act.)