dastardly

dastardly
dastardly
like cowardly, is often used in a manner described by Fowler (1926) as inappropriate because it describes actions that, however reprehensible and brutal they may be, at least require boldness and courage. Acts of terrorism, however despicable, should not be described as dastardly, whereas physical assaults on the elderly clearly should.

Modern English usage. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dastardly — Das tard*ly, a. Meanly timid; cowardly; base; as, a dastardly outrage. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dastardly — index caitiff, recreant, scandalous Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • dastardly — 1560s, showing despicable cowardice, originally dull, from M.E. DASTARD (Cf. dastard) + LY (Cf. ly) (1) …   Etymology dictionary

  • dastardly — [adj] rotten base, contemptible, cowardly, craven, despicable, low, mean, pusillanimous, underhanded, vile; concepts 404,545,570,571,574 …   New thesaurus

  • dastardly — ► ADJECTIVE dated or humorous ▪ wicked and cruel. ORIGIN from archaic dastard despicable person , probably from dazed and influenced by dotard and bastard …   English terms dictionary

  • dastardly — [das′tərdlē] adj. of or like a dastard; mean and cowardly SYN. COWARDLY dastardliness n …   English World dictionary

  • dastardly — [[t]dæ̱stə(r)dli[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED: ADJ n If you describe an action as dastardly, you mean it is wicked and intended to hurt someone. [OLD FASHIONED] He described the killing as a dastardly act. ...a dastardly attack on the queen. 2) ADJ GRADED …   English dictionary

  • dastardly — adjective, dated their dastardly plan to kidnap Hayes Syn: wicked, evil, heinous, villainous, diabolical, fiendish, barbarous, cruel, black, dark, rotten, vile, monstrous, abominable, despicable, degenerate …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • dastardly — adjective Date: 1542 1. cowardly 2. characterized by underhandedness or treachery < a dastardly attack > < a dastardly villain > Synonyms: see cowardly • dastardliness noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • dastardly — dastardliness, n. /das teuhrd lee/, adj. cowardly; meanly base; sneaking: a dastardly act. [1560 70; DASTARD + LY] * * * …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”