:Coward redirects here. For other meanings including as a surname, see coward (disambiguation). Cowardice (also called nervelessness) is a vice that's conventionally viewed as the corruption of prudence, to thwart all courage or bravery. Cowardice may be considered to be prudence that doesn't take consequences to their furthest extent. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word "coward" comes from an Old French word coart (modern French is couard), a combination of the wo… (More on Cowardice)