timorous
adjective
Showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence; easily frightened and overly cautious.
Etymology
From Latin "timorosus" (fearful), from "timor" (fear), from "timere" (to fear). The word emphasizes habitual fearfulness rather than momentary fear.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The timorous mouse crept carefully past the sleeping cat."
- 2.
"Timorous investors missed opportunities by waiting too long."
- 3.
"His timorous approach to negotiations cost the company."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Robert Burns's poem "To a Mouse" addresses the "Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie." The poem's meditation on plans "gone awry" gave us the famous phrase about best-laid plans.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 8 letters (T, I, M, O, R, O, U, S)
Scrabble Value: 10 points
Tip: Look for common letter combinations like "TI" at the start of words.
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