Definition of "pusillanimous"

Therefore, the wise thing is for us diligently to train ourselves to lie thoughtfully, judiciously; to lie with a good object, and not an evil one; to lie for others' advantage, and not our own; to lie healingly, charitably, humanely, not cruelly, hurtfully, maliciously; to lie gracefully and graciously, not awkwardly and clumsily; to lie firmly, frankly, squarely, with head erect, not haltingly, tortuously, with pusillanimous mien, as being ashamed of our high calling.

1882, Mark Twain, On the Decay of the Art of Lying‎

Octavian, by contrast, was pusillanimous in battle ... but proved himself extremely adept in the political arena

2007, David Potter, chapter 1, in The Emperors of Rome, page 36