The spelling of the word "dastardly" refers to something that is cowardly or treacherous. It is pronounced /ˈdæstərdli/ with the stress on the second syllable. The first three letters "das" can be pronounced as "dahz" or "dæz," depending on the accent. The "tard" is pronounced as "ta:d" or "tæ:d." The "ry" is pronounced as "ri." The letter "l" in the middle of the word is doubled to emphasize the stress on the second syllable. The spelling and pronunciation of this word highlight the negative connotations associated with cowardice or dishonor.
Dastardly is an adjective that describes someone or something that behaves in a cowardly, treacherous, or villainous manner. It conveys a strong sense of moral disapproval, suggesting actions that are morally reprehensible or morally corrupt.
A dastardly act typically involves deception, cunning, and a lack of honor or integrity. It usually demonstrates a complete disregard for fairness, justice, and the well-being of others. Such acts often involve a betrayal of trust, aiming to achieve personal gain or advantage at the expense of others. For example, a dastardly villain might plot to harm innocent people for their own selfish reasons or manipulate others to obtain power or wealth.
The term "dastardly" can be used to describe both individuals and their actions. It carries a sense of contempt and condemnation, highlighting the unscrupulous nature of the person or the act being referred to. The word is often employed to emphasize the severity of the wrongdoing, indicating that it goes beyond mere immorality or wrongdoing. Its usage suggests that the person or action being described is particularly despicable, morally objectionable, and deserving of strong criticism or punishment.
In summary, "dastardly" describes actions or individuals that exhibit cowardice, treachery, and villainy, demonstrating a lack of honor, fairness, or consideration for others. It signifies conduct that is morally reprehensible, portraying a person or act as morally corrupt and worthy of severe condemnation.
• Cowardly.
• Cowardly; mean; timorous.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "dastardly" originated from the Middle English term "dasterdly", which was derived from the Old French word "deraster", meaning "cowardly", or "base". The Old French term, in turn, was derived from the Latin word "de contra astra", meaning "against the stars". The word "dastardly" acquired its current meaning of "cowardly" or "treacherous" in the late 16th century.