craven• It was more than Wexford's life was worth to admit his cravenfear of the lift.• For a craven moment she was tempted to go back and throw herself on the mercy of the landlady.• That was why he had voiced this cravenoption; soas to witness it vanishing.• At times like this the back rowinclined to cravenpanic.• And most are simply too craven to steal.
Origincraven
(1100-1200) Perhaps from Old Frenchcrevant, present participle of crever“to burst, break”