dastardly

English

Etymology

From dastard +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈdɑːstədli/, /ˈdæstədli/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈdæstɚdli/

Adjective

dastardly (comparative dastardlier, superlative dastardliest)

  1. 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.
  2. Treacherous; given to backstabbing.

Quotations

Derived terms

Adverb

dastardly

  1. In a cowardly or treacherous fashion.