To crouch down low and tremble, usually out of fear or cold.
From Old Norse 'kúra' meaning 'to crouch.' It came into Middle English through Scandinavian languages and originally described a physical crouching position.
Animals and people cower the same way—it's an instinctive response that creates a smaller target and protects vital organs. This body language is so universal that writers use 'cower' in almost every language to show fear!
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