white-livered

[ hwahyt-liv-erd, wahyt- ]

/ ˈʰwaɪtˈlɪv ərd, ˈwaɪt- /

lacking courage; cowardly; lily-livered.

lacking in vitality or spirit; pale; unhealthy.

Origin of white-livered

First recorded in 1540–50

The one twit him with being a white-livered coward, the other consider him to be either a sneak or a "deep fellow."

A Plea for the Criminal |James Leslie Allan Kayll
Don't thee be white-livered, Emily, or say owt for which you'll be sorry afterwards.

The Day of Judgment |Joseph Hocking
He was a white-livered old swine, but a good sailor-man—as far as any man who says 'Ja' for 'Yes' goes.

The Call Of The South |Louis Becke
Your father and me's had a difference, all along of that clerk of his, Jeremiah, Mrs. Pamflett's white-livered son.

Miser Farebrother, Volume I (of 3) |Benjamin Leopold Farjeon

Then, by thunder, you white-livered beachcomber, a rope will touch you till you're flayed.

The Vision Spendid |William MacLeod Raine

white-livered

lacking in spirit or courage

pallid and unhealthy in appearance