cower

cow·er

verb \ˈkau̇(-ə)r\

Definition of COWER

intransitive verb

: to shrink away or crouch especially for shelter from something that menaces, domineers, or dismays

Examples of COWER

1. They cowered at the sight of the gun.
2. She was cowering in the closet.
3. I cowered behind the door.

Origin of COWER

Middle English couren, probably from Middle Low German kūren

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COWER

Synonyms: cringe, grovel, quail

Related Words: flinch, recoil, shrink, squinch; blanch, blench, whiten; fawn, kowtow, toady

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See Synonym Discussion at fawn

Rhymes with COWER

bower, dower, flour, flower, glower, lower, power, scour, shower, sour, Stour, tour, tower