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DictionaryRoot: -ise
Old French

-ise

quality or condition

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A frightened man cowers behind his younger companion rather than face a snarling dog; the companion remains upright between him and the threat.
noun

cowardice

KOW-er-dis/ˈkaʊərdɪs/

Lack of courage when facing danger or difficulty.

Etymology
cowOld Frenchtail
+ardOld Frenchperson characterized by, derogatorily
+iceOld Frenchquality or condition

The “tail” root probably evokes an animal turning tail or holding its tail between its legs. With a derogatory person-ending it named someone lacking courage; the final suffix names that person's quality.

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