Cower: meaning, definitions and examples
๐จ
cower
[ หkaสษr ]
physical reaction
To cower means to crouch down in fear or shame. It expresses a deep sense of timidity or submission, often as a response to a perceived threat.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The dog cowered in the corner during the storm.
- She cowered before her angry boss.
- The children cowered when they heard the loud noise.
Translations
Translations of the word "cower" in other languages:
๐ต๐น encolher-se
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเคฟเคเฅเคกเคผเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช kauern
๐ฎ๐ฉ merunduk
๐บ๐ฆ ัั ะธะปะธัะธัั
๐ต๐ฑ schowaฤ siฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ใใใใพใ
๐ซ๐ท se recroqueviller
๐ช๐ธ agacharse
๐น๐ท korkmak
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ํฌ๋ฆฌ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ูููู ุด
๐จ๐ฟ sklonit se
๐ธ๐ฐ sklonit sa
๐จ๐ณ ่ท็ผฉ
๐ธ๐ฎ skloniti se
๐ฎ๐ธ kรบra
๐ฐ๐ฟ าาฑััะปั
๐ฌ๐ช แแฃแญแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ dษymษk
๐ฒ๐ฝ acurrucarse
Word origin
The word 'cower' originates from the Middle English 'coweren', which means 'to crouch or to cower'. It can be traced back to the Old English 'cuggan', meaning 'to bend' or 'to stoop', which is related to the Old Norse 'kugga', meaning 'to crouch'. The term has evolved over the centuries to encapsulate not just the physical act of shrinking back, but also the emotional state associated with fear or anxiety. The nuance of being overwhelmed by fear, as it is used today, became more prominent in the 15th century. 'Cower' has consistently maintained its association with emotional response, depicting an individual or animal's instinct to make themselves smaller to avoid danger, a response that is very much ingrained in both human and animal behavior.