dastardly
English
Etymology
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈdɑːstədli/, /ˈdæstədli/
Audio (Southern England): (file) - (US) IPA(key): /ˈdæstɚdli/
Adjective
dastardly (comparative dastardlier, superlative dastardliest)
- In the manner of a dastard; marked by cowardice; pusillanimous.
- 1941 December 8, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 6:42 from the start, in Day of Infamy Speech[1], Washington, D.C.:
- I ask that the Congress declare, that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
- Treacherous; given to backstabbing.
Quotations
- "the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on...December 7th" - Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor (1941)
Derived terms
Adverb
dastardly
- In a cowardly or treacherous fashion.