cowardlya.1. Wanting courage; basely or weakly timid or fearful; pusillanimous; spiritless.()The cowardly rascals that ran from the battle. (Shak.)2. Proceeding from fear of danger or other consequences; befitting a coward; dastardly; base; as, cowardly malignity.(Macaulay.)The cowardly rashness of those who dare not look danger in the face. (Burke.)()adv. In the manner of a coward.(Spenser.)