How Do You Spell PUSILLANIMOUSNESS?

Pronunciation: [pjˌuːsɪlˈanɪməsnəs] (IPA)

Pusillanimousness is a complex and rarely used word. Its spelling can be daunting, but understanding the phonetic transcription can make it easier. The word is pronounced /ˌpjuːsɪləˈnɪməsnəs/ in IPA. The first syllable is pronounced like "pew," and the second is like "sil." The "a" in "animousness" has an "uh" sound, and the "u" is silent. The word means cowardly or lacking courage, and its spelling reflects its weighty meaning. Using it correctly can add power to your writing, but be prepared to spell-check!

PUSILLANIMOUSNESS Meaning and Definition

1. Pusillanimousness is a noun that refers to the quality or state of being pusillanimous. Pusillanimous, in turn, is an adjective that describes an individual or their actions as lacking courage, strength, or determination, often showing a marked timidity or cowardice.

   When someone displays pusillanimousness, they generally exhibit a persistent unwillingness to take risks or confront challenging situations, often acting out of fear or an excessive concern for their own safety or well-being. This can manifest in various forms, such as avoiding conflicts, refraining from making difficult decisions, or not standing up for one's beliefs or values when faced with opposition or adversity. Pusillanimousness may hinder personal growth and development, as individuals may become trapped in a cycle of passivity and reluctance to embrace new opportunities or challenges.

   Furthermore, pusillanimousness can also have negative implications within a group or organizational context. It can undermine leadership abilities, prevent effective problem-solving, and hinder the overall progress and success of a team or community. One of the key characteristics of pusillanimousness is a lack of confidence in one's abilities and an aversion to taking initiative, which can limit personal and collective achievements.

   In summary, pusillanimousness refers to the state of being pusillanimous, indicative of a lack of courage, strength, or determination. It involves exhibiting timidity, fearfulness, or cowardice in the face of challenges or difficult situations, hindering personal growth, as well as group or organizational progress.

2. Want of firmness and strength of mind; weakness of mind; want of courage.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PUSILLANIMOUSNESS

• ousillanimousness
• lusillanimousness
• -usillanimousness
• 0usillanimousness
• pysillanimousness
• phsillanimousness
• pjsillanimousness
• pisillanimousness
• p8sillanimousness
• p7sillanimousness
• puaillanimousness
• puzillanimousness
• puxillanimousness
• pudillanimousness
• pueillanimousness
• puwillanimousness
• pusullanimousness
• pusjllanimousness
• puskllanimousness

Etymology of PUSILLANIMOUSNESS

The word "pusillanimousness" comes from the combination of three different Latin roots: "pusillus" meaning "very small" or "tiny", "anima" meaning "soul" or "life", and the suffix "-ous" meaning "full of" or "having".

The Latin word "pusillanimis" was formed by combining "pusillus" and "anima", and it originally meant "having a little soul" or "small-minded".

The word then made its way into Old French as "pusillanime" before being adopted into Middle English as "pusillanimous". Finally, the suffix "-ness" was added to create "pusillanimousness", which denotes the state or quality of being pusillanimous, or lacking in courage or determination.

Similar spelling word for PUSILLANIMOUSNESS

• pusillanimously.