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.
The poor craven bridegroom said never a
word.
Sir. W. Scott.
In craven fear of the sarcasm of
Dorset.
Macaulay.
Cra"ven, n. [Formerly written also
cravant and cravent.] A recreant; a coward; a
weak-hearted, spiritless fellow. See Recreant,
n.
King Henry. Is it fit this soldier
keep his oath?
Fluellen. He is a craven and a villain
else.
Shak.
Syn. -- Coward; poltroon; dastard.
Cra"ven, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Cravened (-v'nd); p. pr. & vb.
n. Cravening.] To make recreant, weak,
spiritless, or cowardly. [Obs.]
There is a prohibition so divine,
That cravens my weak hand.
Shak.
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