turback
Definition
- Noun (dated or rare):
- A coward: "turback" refers to a person who lacks courage or is timid, often used as a derogatory term.
- A deserter or traitor: "turback" can also describe someone who abandons a cause, duty, or group, or who betrays their companions.
Usage Examples
- (A coward who ran away from combat.)
- (A traitor who betrayed his country.)
Advanced Usage
- In historical or literary contexts, "turback" might appear in descriptions of military or political betrayal, emphasizing dishonor.
- The king's closest advisor proved to be a turback, plotting against the crown. (A trusted person who became a traitor.)
Variants and Related Words
- Turnback (n): a variant spelling of "turback," with the same meaning.
- The turnback was exiled for his cowardice. (A cowardly person sent away as punishment.)
Synonyms
- Coward: a person who lacks bravery.
- Deserter: one who abandons military duty or a cause.
- Traitor: one who betrays trust, especially to an enemy.
- Recreant: a cowardly or unfaithful person.
Related Idioms
- Turn tail: to run away from danger or difficulty (related to the idea of turning back).
- When the fight began, he turned tail like a turback. (He fled cowardly.)
Etymology Note
"Turback" likely derives from "turn back," suggesting someone who physically turns away from a challenge or duty, hence a coward or deserter. This word is now largely obsolete, but appears in older English texts.