adj. and adv. (old: now recognised).—Sickly: hence PULER = a weakling.—B. E. (c. 1696).
1608. A Yorkshire Tragedy, i. 1. My young mistress keeps such a PULING for her love.
1609. The Man in the Moone, sig. G. If she be pale of complexion, she will prove but a PULER: is she high-coloured? an ill cognizance.
c. 1617. FLETCHER and others, The Knight of Malta, ii. 3. Come … put this PULING passion out of your mind.
1820. LAMB, The Essays of Elia, ‘New Year’s Eve.’ Where be those PULING fears of death?
