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Cowed: meaning, definitions and examples

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cowed

 

[ kaʊd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

intimidation

The term 'cowed' means to be frightened or intimidated into submission. It describes a state where a person or animal is made to feel fearful, often as a result of threats or aggressive behavior from another. The act of cowing someone involves instilling fear that diminishes their confidence and assertiveness. This term is often used in contexts where domination or control is exercised over a weaker individual.

Synonyms

daunted, frightened, intimidated, subdued

Examples of usage

  • The bully cowed his classmates into silence.
  • She felt cowed by the harsh criticism from her boss.
  • The fierce storm cowed the villagers into remaining indoors.

Translations

Translations of the word "cowed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 amedrontado

🇮🇳 डराया हुआ

🇩🇪 eingeschüchtert

🇮🇩 terintimidasi

🇺🇦 зляканий

🇵🇱 przestraszony

🇯🇵 怯えた

🇫🇷 intimidé

🇪🇸 amedrentado

🇹🇷 korkutulmuş

🇰🇷 겁먹은

🇸🇦 مُرعَب

🇨🇿 zastrašený

🇸🇰 vyplašený

🇨🇳 畏惧的

🇸🇮 prestrašen

🇮🇸 hræddur

🇰🇿 қорқақ

🇬🇪 შეშინებული

🇦🇿 çəkinən

🇲🇽 amedrentado

Word origin

The word 'cowed' comes from the Old Norse word 'kú', meaning 'cow', which plays into the idea of being submissive or docile like a cow. It evolved through Middle English, and by the 14th century, 'cowe' had taken on a more abstract meaning related to fear and intimidation rather than a direct reference to the animal itself. The concept of a 'cowed' individual is associated with an instinctive reaction to threats, a behavior that predates human society and can be seen in many animal species. Today, the term is primarily used to describe people who have been brought low by fear or coercion in various social situations.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,643, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.