lily-livered
Lacking all courage
Lily-livered means cowardly or lacking courage.
The liver was once thought to be the seat of bravery, and a pale or bloodless liver indicated a deficiency of bold spirit.
The term is old-fashioned and somewhat theatrical: The lily-livered fool wouldn't even stand up for himself.
cowardice
Contemptibly lacking nerve
- faintheartedCowardly, easily discouraged
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- pusillanimousLacking courage or determination
- yellow-belliedEasily frightened, timid
chicken-hearted · gutless · timorous · dastardly · fearful · poltroon · milksop · recreant
craven
Contemptibly lacking nerve
- faintheartedCowardly, easily discouraged
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- pusillanimousLacking courage or determination
yellow-bellied · chicken-hearted · gutless · timorous · dastardly · fearful · poltroon · milksop · recreant · white-livered
bloodless
Without shedding any gore
sallow · pallid · white-livered · anemic · sickly · ghostly · cadaverous · pasty · waxen · blanched