əˈpɒs.teɪt ˈkɹeɪ.vən ˈkɹeɪ.vən dɪˈzɜːtə(ɹ) pɒlˈtɹuːn pɑlˈtɹun ˈɹɛkɹɪənt ˈɹɛkɹiənt ˈɹɛkɹɪənt ˈɹɛkɹiənt ˈɹɛnɪˌɡeɪd ˈɹɛnəˌɡeɪd ˈtəːn.kəʊt ˈtɝn.koʊt lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful the craven fellow turned and ran a craven proposal to raise the white flag this recreant knight having deserted a cause or principle some provinces had proved recreant renegade supporters of the usurper a disloyal person who betrays or deserts their cause or religion or political party or friend etc. an abject coward