Words at Play : Top 10 Sophisticated Insults
Definition:
having or showing a complete lack of courage : very cowardly
Example:
"Interesting word, 'political': when used to describe what a politician does, it smacks of craven expedience, but apply it to a pop song and it sounds hip and forceful." – Rollo Romig, The New Yorker, July 22, 2013
About the Word:
One of the earliest appearances of craven is in the phrase to cry craven, used to acknowledge defeat. The word probably comes from the Latin crepare, meaning "crack, creak, break," a root it shares with crevice.
More Words at Play
