Pluck vs Cowardly - What's the difference?
pluck | cowardly |
(lb) To pull something sharply; to pull something out
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*1900 , , Ch.I:
*:The girl stooped to pluck a rose, and as she bent over it, her profile was clearly outlined.
To gently play a single string, e.g. on a guitar, violin etc.
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(lb) To remove feathers from a bird.
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*:Molly the dairymaid came a little way from the rickyard, and said she would pluck the pigeon that very night after work. She was always ready to do anything for us boys; and we could never quite make out why they scolded her so for an idle hussy indoors. It seemed so unjust.
(lb) To rob, fleece, steal forcibly
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(lb) To play a string instrument pizzicato
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(lb) To pull or twitch sharply.
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To reject at an examination for degrees.
*1847 , , (Jane Eyre)
*:He went to college, and he got— plucked , I think they call it: and then his uncles wanted him to be a barrister, and study the law.
An instance of plucking
The lungs, heart with trachea and often oesophagus removed from slaughtered animals.
Guts, nerve, fortitude or persistence.
In the manner of a coward.
* , Folio Society, 2006, vol.1, p.48:
Showing cowardice; lacking in courage; basely or weakly fearful.
* Shakespeare
* Burke
As a verb pluck
is (lb) to pull something sharply; to pull something out.As a noun pluck
is an instance of plucking.As an adverb cowardly is
in the manner of a coward.As an adjective cowardly is
showing cowardice; lacking in courage; basely or weakly fearful.pluck
English
Verb
Derived terms
* plucker * plucking * pluck upNoun
(-)- ''Those tiny birds are hardly worth the tedious pluck
- He didn't get far with the attempt, but you have to admire his pluck .
Derived terms
* pluckyReferences
* * *Anagrams
*cowardly
English
Adverb
(en adverb)- I love to follow them, but not so cowardly , as my life remaine thereby in subjection.
Adjective
(en-adj)- The cowardly rascals that ran from the battle.
- The cowardly rashness of those who dare not look danger in the face.
