cower
pronunciation
How to pronounce cower in British English:
UK [ˈkaʊə(r)]
How to pronounce cower in American English:
US [ˈkaʊər]
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- Verb:
- crouch or curl up
- show submission or fear
Word Origin
- cower (v.)
- c. 1300, probably from Middle Low German *kuren "lie in wait" (Modern German kauern), or similar Scandinavian words meaning "to squat" and "to doze" (such as Old Norse kura, Danish, Norwegian kure, Swedish kura). Thus unrelated to coward. Related: Cowered; cowering.
Example
- 1. Bankers will cower , afraid to lend .
- 2. In america managers cower before pension funds and other powerful institutional investors .
- 3. Sit it out and watch the rest of asia cower to chinese dominance ?
- 4. It is what has always led us , as a people , not to wilt or cower at a difficult moment , but to face down any trial and rise to any challenge , understanding that each of us has a hand in writing america 's destiny .
- 5. Earthquakeswhen an earthquake strikes , most people cower in doorways , or other strong points in their homes .