From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
cowardice
n : the trait of lacking courage [syn: cowardliness] [ant:
courage]
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]