i Register
In some senses, cower is marked as archaic, figuratively, obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
cower
/ˈkaʊɚ/
verb 5
Collocations
4ADJ.
most
VERB + COWER
began, caused, learned, war
COWER + NOUN
bunker
PREP.
in
Definitions
verb
1
To crouch or cringe, or to avoid or shy away from something, in fear.
He'd be useless in war. He'd just cower in his bunker until the enemy came in and shot him, or until the war was over.
Our dame sits cowering o'er a kitchen fire.
2
To crouch in general.
Some sterner virtues o’er the mountain’s breast May sit, like falcons, cowering on the nest
The mother bird had mov’d not, But cowering o’er her nestlings, Sate confident and fearless, And watch’d the wonted guest.
3
To cause to cower; to frighten into submission.
This done, their doubts will vanish, and they will stand confronted by an object lesson which must have the effect either to arouse them to a determination to banish despotism from the land, or cower them into submission and servitude.
My spirit will cower them and make them wish they had never risen up against me.
4
To be a coward; to hide away or refuse to face opposition due to fear.
verb
1
To cherish with care.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
He'd be useless in war. He'd just cower in his bunker until the enemy came in and shot him, or until the war was over.
Wiktionary02
Our dame sits cowering o'er a kitchen fire.
Wiktionary03
Carrot ran past him to get to the barrel first, and peered down at the cowering Catweazle. “No rats, Dad,” he said. “What's that terrible pong, then?” said Mr Bennett, sniffing.
Wiktionary04
He has a fearsome intellect before which even the most learned cower.
Tatoeba · #62330305
The noise caused Lorenzo to cower in fear.
Tatoeba · #1170908606
Leonid's German Shepherd began to cower.
Tatoeba · #11853996Usage Notes
Your note
not saved0 chars