Cowardly and mean-spirited; characterized by sneaky, underhanded, or despicable behavior. Often used to describe villainous actions.
From 'dastard' (a coward) + -ly suffix. 'Dastard' comes from Middle English, possibly from Old Norse dastr meaning 'exhausted, out of breath,' suggesting someone too weak to fight bravely.
While 'dastardly' sounds almost comically villainous today (think Snidely Whiplash), it originally had the serious meaning of cowardice in battle - the ultimate shame for a medieval warrior. The word perfectly captures how we often link moral failing with physical cowardice.
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