Definition of Dastard

1. Noun. A despicable coward.

Generic synonyms: Coward
Derivative terms: Dastardly

2. Adjective. Despicably cowardly. "The unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on...December 7th"
Exact synonyms: Dastardly
Similar to: Cowardly, Fearful
Derivative terms: Dastardliness

Definition of Dastard

1. n. One who meanly shrinks from danger; an arrant coward; a poltroon.

2. a. Meanly shrinking from danger; cowardly; dastardly.

3. v. t. To dastardize.

Definition of Dastard

1. Noun. A malicious coward; a dishonorable sneak. ¹

2. Adjective. meanly shrinking from danger, cowardly, dastardly ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Dastard

1. a base coward [n -S]

Medical Definition of Dastard

1. One who meanly shrinks from danger; an arrant coward; a poltroon. "You are all recreants and dashtards, and delight to live in slavery to the nobility." (Shak) Origin: Prob. From Icel. Daestr exhausted. Breathless, p. P. Of daesa to groan, lose one's breath; cf. Dasask to become exhausted, and E. Daze. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Dastard

dashis
dashism
dashkovaite
dashpot
dashpots
dasht
dashy
dasing
dasn't
dast
dastard (current term)
dastard(a)
dastardies
dastardize
dastardized
dastardizes
dastardizing
dastardlier
dastardliest
dastardliness
dastardlinesses
dastardling
dastardly
dastardness
dastards

Literary usage of Dastard

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events by Frank Moore, Edward Everett (1861)
"Fly to crush the dastard foe, CHORDS—To the fray, &c. IT. Onward, then, our stainless banner, Let it kiss tiie stripe and star, Till in weal and woe united ..."

2. The Anatomy of Melancholy: What it Is, with All the Kinds, Causes, Symptoms by Robert Burton (1862)
"There is no man so pusillanimous, so very a dastard, whom love would not incense, make of a divine temper, and an heroical spirit. As he said in like case, ..."

3. The Anatomy of melancholy v. 3 by Robert Burton (1875)
"... so very a dastard, whom love would not incense, make of a divine temper, and an heroical spirit As he said in like case, *Tota mal cedi moles, ..."

4. A Glossary: Or, Collection of Words, Phrases, Names, and Allusions to by Robert Nares, James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps, Thomas Wright (1901)
"... h miself a dastard, because forsooth he fought with н dub, and not ut the .... dastard ..."

5. The Lusiad: Or, The Discovery of India: an Epic Poem by Luís de Camões, William Julius Mickle (1809)
"... starting from his seat, Claim'd every eye, and closed the cold debate,: Singling his brothers from the dastard train, ..."

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