Recreancy

Noun

Definition: Cowardice; an act of cowardly giving up or abandonment.

Synonyms: Cowardice, Faint-heartedness, Timidity

Antonyms: Bravery, Boldness, Courage

Examples:
  • His act of recreancy during the battle showed his lack of courage.
  • The general's recreancy resulted in the soldiers losing faith in his leadership.
Mnemonics:
  • Think of "recreancy" as "re-creating cowardice," indicating the act of recreating a cowardly behavior.
  • The word "recreancy" contains the root "re-" which implies a repetition or return to a previous state, connecting it to a repeated act of cowardice.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "recreancy" originated from the Old French word "recreance," which means "cowardice." It is derived from the Latin word "recreare," which means "to restore or recover."

Historical Usage:

The term "recreancy" was commonly used in medieval times to refer to the act of turning away from one's duty or abandoning a cause, often associated with cowardice in battle or loyalty betrayal.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Recreant knight"

Explanation:

Refers to a knight who behaves cowardly in battle and lacks courage and chivalry.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "recreancy" with "recreational" due to a similar sound.

Explanation:

"Recreancy" is not related to recreation or leisure activities. It specifically refers to cowardice and giving up, while "recreational" refers to activities done for pleasure or relaxation.

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