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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Craven \Cra"ven\ (kr?"v'n), a. [OE. cravant, cravaunde, OF.
cravant? struck down, p. p. of cravanter, crevanter, to
break, crush, strike down, fr. an assumed LL. crepantare, fr.
L. crepans, p. pr. of crepare to break, crack, rattle. Cf.
{Crevice}, {Crepitate}.]
Cowardly; fainthearted; spiritless. "His craven heart."
--Shak.
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The poor craven bridegroom said never a word. --Sir. W.
Scott.
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In craven fear of the sarcasm of Dorset. --Macaulay.
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Craven \Cra"ven\, n. [Formerly written also cravant and
cravent.]
A recreant; a coward; a weak-hearted, spiritless fellow. See
{Recreant}, n.
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King Henry. Is it fit this soldier keep his oath?
Fluellen. He is a craven and a villain else. --Shak.

Syn: Coward; poltroon; dastard.
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Craven \Cra"ven\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cravened} (-v'nd); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Cravening}.]
To make recreant, weak, spiritless, or cowardly. [Obs.]
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There is a prohibition so divine,
That cravens my weak hand. --Shak.
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