cowardice

This term carries a heavy negative moral judgment, implying a failure of character or a betrayal of duty. It describes a state of fear that overrides one's sense of honor or responsibility, often evoking a sense of shame or contempt from others. Grammatically, the word is primarily used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general quality of being cowardly. However, it can function as a countable noun when referring to a specific instance or a particular act of fear, such as an act of cowardice.