Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Craven
Cra′ven
(kr?′v’n)
, Adj.
[OE.
cravant
, cravaunde
, OF. cravant[GREEK]
struck down, p. p. of cravanter
, crevanter
, to break, crush, strike down, fr. an assumed LL. crepantare
, fr. L. crepans
, p. pr. of crepare
to break, crack, rattle. Cf. Crevice
, Crepitate
.] Cowardly; fainthearted; spiritless.
“His craven heart.” Shak.
The poor
craven
bridegroom said never a word. Sir. W. Scott.
In
craven
fear of the sarcasm of Dorset. Macaulay.
Cra′ven
,Noun.
[Formerly written also
cravant
and cravent
.] A recreant; a coward; a weak-hearted, spiritless fellow. See
Recreant
, Noun.
Syn. – Coward; poltroon; dastard.
Cra′ven
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Cravened
(-v’nd)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Cravening
.] To make recreant, weak, spiritless, or cowardly.
[Obs.]
There is a prohibition so divine,
That
That
cravens
my weak hand. Shakespeare