Pronunciation: [kˈa͡ʊədi] (IPA) 
The word "cowardie" is often spelled as "cowardice" in modern English. The correct pronunciation of this word is /ˈkaʊədɪs/, with the emphasis placed on the second syllable. The spelling of the word can be traced back to the Middle English period where it was first used, derived from the Old French term "coardie." The suffix "-ice" indicates the state or quality of being cowardly, making it a noun rather than an adjective.
The word "cowardie" is derived from the Middle English word "cowardie" or "cowardi(e)", which originated from the Old French word "couardie". The Old French term was formed by combining the word "couart" (meaning "coward") with the suffix "-ie", which denotes a condition or quality. The French "couart" was ultimately derived from the Latin word "cauda", meaning "tail". This connection might seem unusual, but it is believed to have originated from the idea that cowardly individuals would tuck their tail between their legs like frightened animals. Over time, the word "cowardie" evolved in Middle English to refer to the quality or characteristic of being a coward.
