a. [ad. L. timid-us, f. tim-ēre to fear. Cf. F. timide (a. 1528 in Godef., Compl.).] Subject to fear; easily frightened; wanting boldness or courage; fearful, timorous. Rarely const. of (cf. TIMOROUS 1 a). Also fig.
1549. Compl. Scot., Ep. Ded. 6. I vas lang stupefact ande timide, for falt of ane peremptoir conclusione.
1697. Bentley, Phal., 14. Another sort of Proofs, that will affect the most slow Judgments, and assure the most timid or incredulous.
1730–46. Thomson, Autumn, 401. Poor is the triumph o’er the timid hare.
1764. Museum Rust., II. 270. Lucern … in its infant state … is very tender, and timid of frost.
1841. Elphinstone, Hist. Ind., II. 545. The troops became more timid than ever.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., IV. xii. Bella was so timid of him.
b. Characterized by or indicating fear.
1741–2. Gray, Agrippina, 87. Carry to him thy timid counsels.
1812. J. Wilson, Isle of Palms, III. 168. With a timid smile.
1873. Black, Pr. Thule, vi. She has given him some timid encouragement.
