Dastardly
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dastardly — like cowardly, is often used in a manner described by Fowler (1926) as inappropriate because it describes actions that, however reprehensible and brutal they may be, at least require boldness and courage. Acts of terrorism, however despicable,… … Modern English usage
dastardly — index caitiff, recreant, scandalous Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
dastardly — 1560s, showing despicable cowardice, originally dull, from M.E. DASTARD (Cf. dastard) + LY (Cf. ly) (1) … Etymology dictionary
dastardly — [adj] rotten base, contemptible, cowardly, craven, despicable, low, mean, pusillanimous, underhanded, vile; concepts 404,545,570,571,574 … New thesaurus
dastardly — ► ADJECTIVE dated or humorous ▪ wicked and cruel. ORIGIN from archaic dastard despicable person , probably from dazed and influenced by dotard and bastard … English terms dictionary
dastardly — [das′tərdlē] adj. of or like a dastard; mean and cowardly SYN. COWARDLY dastardliness n … English World dictionary
dastardly — [[t]dæ̱stə(r)dli[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED: ADJ n If you describe an action as dastardly, you mean it is wicked and intended to hurt someone. [OLD FASHIONED] He described the killing as a dastardly act. ...a dastardly attack on the queen. 2) ADJ GRADED … English dictionary
dastardly — adjective, dated their dastardly plan to kidnap Hayes Syn: wicked, evil, heinous, villainous, diabolical, fiendish, barbarous, cruel, black, dark, rotten, vile, monstrous, abominable, despicable, degenerate … Thesaurus of popular words
dastardly — adjective Date: 1542 1. cowardly 2. characterized by underhandedness or treachery < a dastardly attack > < a dastardly villain > Synonyms: see cowardly • dastardliness noun … New Collegiate Dictionary
dastardly — dastardliness, n. /das teuhrd lee/, adj. cowardly; meanly base; sneaking: a dastardly act. [1560 70; DASTARD + LY] * * * … Universalium
