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Cowering: meaning, definitions and examples

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cowering

 

[ ˈkaʊ.ər.ɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

fearful position

Cowering means to crouch down in fear or shame. It often involves hunching one's shoulders and lowering the body to make oneself appear smaller in the face of danger or intimidation. This behavior is instinctive and may be seen in both animals and humans when they perceive a threat. Cowering can also be a response to emotional distress or anxiety, reflecting a person's desire to hide from an overwhelming situation.

Synonyms

cringing, ducking, flinching, hiding

Examples of usage

  • The dog was cowering under the table during the storm.
  • She was cowering in the corner, afraid of the loud noise.
  • He started cowering when he realized he had made a mistake.
  • The child was cowering away from the angry teacher.

Translations

Translations of the word "cowering" in other languages:

🇵🇹 agachando-se

🇮🇳 सिमटने वाला

🇩🇪 kauern

🇮🇩 merunduk

🇺🇦 пригинаючись

🇵🇱 kucając

🇯🇵 うずくまる

🇫🇷 se recroqueviller

🇪🇸 agacharse

🇹🇷 çömelmek

🇰🇷 쭈그리고 앉다

🇸🇦 الانحناء

🇨🇿 skrčit se

🇸🇰 zohýbať sa

🇨🇳 蜷缩

🇸🇮 skloniti se

🇮🇸 krjúpa

🇰🇿 иіліп

🇬🇪 ჩამოწევა

🇦🇿 bükülmək

🇲🇽 agacharse

Word origin

The term 'cower' has its origins in Middle English, stemming from the word 'coweren,' which means to 'crouch' or 'stoop down.' This word is believed to originate from the Old Norse term 'kúra,' meaning to 'dare' or 'to crouch.' Historically, the action of cowering has been associated with a response to fear and intimidation, embodying the instinctual desire to protect oneself from harm. As language evolved, the word maintained its essence, encapsulating both physical and emotional states of submission or fear. Cowering reflects deep-seated sentiments that can be traced back to primal human and animal behaviors, serving both survival and social functions. Through the centuries, cowering has appeared in literature and storytelling as a poignant representation of vulnerability, revealing the nature of fear and the instinct to retreat when faced with danger.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,510, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.