Cow"ard*ly, a. 1. Wanting courage; basely or weakly timid or fearful; pusillanimous; spiritless.

The cowardly rascals that ran from the battle.
Shak.

2. Proceeding from fear of danger or other consequences; befitting a coward; dastardly; base; as, cowardly malignity. Macaulay.

The cowardly rashness of those who dare not look danger in the face.
Burke.

Syn. -- Timid; fearful; timorous; dastardly; pusillanimous; recreant; craven; faint-hearted; chicken-hearted; white-livered.

Cow"ard*ly, adv. In the manner of a coward. Spenser.

• Showing cowardice. Lacking in courage, unacceptably fearful, usually meant with some implication of a lack of consideration for others.