gizzardless
adj/ˈɡɪzə(ɹ)d.lɪs/
Etymology From gizzard + -less.
1
Without a gizzard; without guts or innards.
- This bird has the distinguishing feature of being unlike any of the grouse family, being gizzardless, having no muscular development of that character, but a membranous sac in its place.1906, Joel Parker Whitney, Reminiscences of a Sportsman, page 10:
- No matter what happened to any one else, Candace had to be pleased: for did not she so manage that most fowls served on mother's table went gizzardless to the carving?1913, Gene Stratton-Porter, Laddie: A True Blue Story, page 330:
2
Figuratively Lacking courage, cowardly.
- "Heave harder on that peavy handle, you gizzardless scissor-bill, or I'll put the calks to you!"1925, James Stevens, Paul Bunyan, page 32:
- If you think you're in pain now, just wait until you see what tomorrow brings, you gizzardless coward.2013, Rob Davies, Henhouse High Jinx: Mr. Stevens and Friends, page 82: