Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cowardly \Cow"ard*ly\, a.
   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.

   Syn: Timid; fearful; timorous; dastardly; pusillanimous;
        recreant; craven; faint-hearted; chicken-hearted;
        white-livered.

Cowardly \Cow"ard*ly\, adv.
   In the manner of a coward. --Spenser.

Source : WordNet®

cowardly
     adj : lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted; "cowardly
           dogs, ye will not aid me then"- P.B.Shelley [syn: {fearful}]
           [ant: {brave}]