From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
cowardice
n 1: the trait of lacking courage [syn: cowardice,
cowardliness] [ant: braveness, bravery, courage,
courageousness]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cowardice \Cow"ard*ice\ (-[i^]s), n. [F. couardise, fr. couard.
See Coward.]
Want of courage to face danger; extreme timidity;
pusillanimity; base fear of danger or hurt; lack of spirit.
[1913 Webster]
The cowardice of doing wrong. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Moderation was despised as cowardice. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]