1540s, from French timide "easily frightened, shy" (16c.) and directly from Latin timidus "fearful, afraid, cowardly," from timere "to fear," a word of uncertain origin. Related: Timidly; timidness.
Entries linking to timid
intimidate v.
1640s, from Medieval Latin intimidatus, past participle of intimidare "to frighten, make afraid," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + Latin timidus "fearful" (see timid). Related: Intimidated; intimidating. The French verb was intimider (16c.).
timidity n.
1590s, from Latin timiditas "fearfulness, faint-heartedness, cowardice," from timidus "fearful, afraid" (see timid).