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lily-livered (adj.)
"cowardly," 1605, in "Macbeth;" from lily (in its color sense of "pale, bloodless") + liver (n.1), which was a supposed seat of love and passion. A healthy liver is typically dark reddish-brown. Other similar expressions: lily-handed "having white, delicate hands," lily-faced "pale-faced; affectedly modest or sensitive."
updated on October 10, 2017
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Dictionary entries near lily-livered
lilac
Lilith
Lilliputian
lilt
lily
lily-livered
lily-pad
lily-white
Lima
lima bean
limaceous