white-livered

adjective

white-liv·​ered ˈ(h)wīt-ˈli-vərd How to pronounce white-livered (audio)
: pusillanimous, lily-livered

Word History

Etymology

from the former belief that the choleric temperament depends on the body's producing large quantities of yellow bile

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white-livered was in 1546

Dictionary Entries Near white-livered

white list

white-livered

white liverwort

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Cite this Entry

“White-livered.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white-livered. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

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More from Merriam-Webster on white-livered

Nglish: Translation of white-livered for Spanish Speakers

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