abash

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • v abash cause to be embarrassed; cause to feel self-conscious
    • ***
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • v. t Abash ȧ*băsh" To destroy the self-possession of; to confuse or confound, as by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or inferiority; to put to shame; to disconcert; to discomfit. "Abashed , the devil stood,
      And felt how awful goodness is."      "He was a man whom no check could abash .""Satan stood
      Awhile as mute, confounded what to say."
    • ***
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • abash To confuse or confound, as by suddenly exciting a consciousness of guilt, error, inferiority, etc.; destroy the self-possession of; make ashamed or dispirited; put to confusion. Synonyms Abash, Confuse, Confound, discompose, disconcert, put out of countenance, daunt, overawe. (See list under confuse.) Abash is a stronger word than confuse, but not so strong as confound. We are abashed in the presence of superiors or when detected in vice or misconduct. When we are confused we lose in some degree the control of our faculties, the speech falters, and the thoughts lose their coherence. When we are confounded the reason is overpowered—a condition produced by the force of argument, testimony, or detection, or by disastrous or awe-inspiring events.
    • abash To stand or be confounded; lose self-possession.
    • ***
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • v.t Abash a-bash′ to confuse with shame or guilt
    • ***

Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
OE. abaissen, abaisshen, abashen, OF. esbahir, F. ébahir, to astonish, fr. L. ex, + the interjection bah, expressing astonishment. In OE. somewhat confused with abase,. Cf. Finish
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
O. Fr. esbhir (Fr. s'ébahir), pr.p. esbahiss-ant, to be amazed—L. ex, out, and interj. bah, expressive of astonishment.

Usage

In literature:

The chief was abashed.
"The Unwilling Vestal" by Edward Lucas White
I was all abashed; and took Miss Darnford's hand, and said, Save me, dear miss, by your sweet example, from my rising pride.
"Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded" by Samuel Richardson
If I escaped from the Seigneur Duvarney's, it would throw suspicion upon him, upon Alixe, and that made me stand abashed.
"The Seats Of The Mighty, Complete" by Gilbert Parker
Presently she looked up at him with a look a little abashed, a little anxious, yet tender withal.
"The Battle Of The Strong, Complete A Romance of Two Kingdoms" by Gilbert Parker
Divers flocks of clouds, camp-followers of the storm, could not abash her.
"Parables Of A Province" by Gilbert Parker
Though he had been many things in his life, he had never been abashed; but a curious timidity possessed him now.
"The Right of Way, Complete" by Gilbert Parker
Lempriere of Rozel stood abashed before this rich display of feeling.
"Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords], Complete" by Gilbert Parker
Somewhat abashed and ill at ease, the Consul-General took it.
"The Weavers, Complete" by Gilbert Parker
It is the law that has done it, and we cannot abash the law.
"No Defense, Complete" by Gilbert Parker
Then, with the mask of coquetry still upon her she left Carnac's mother abashed, sorrowful and alone.
"Carnac's Folly, Complete" by Gilbert Parker
***

In poetry:

And my heart from dying ashes
Suddenly flickers aflame
To the glory that abashes
And the hope without a name.
"Lines - I" by Manmohan Ghose
With that abash'd and struck with many a sting
Of swarming fears,
I fell, and cry'd, Alas, my King;
Can both the way and end be tears?
Yet taking heart I rose, and then perceiv'd
I was deceiv'd:
"The Pilgrimage" by George Herbert
He spoke; the passion in her moan'd reply
`Favor from one so sad and so forlorn
As I am!' half abash'd him; yet unask'd,
His bashfulness and tenderness at war,
He set himself beside her, saying to her:
"Enoch Arden" by Alfred Lord Tennyson
A dream,—and see the balsam scent erase
Its dim intrusion; and the starry night
Conclude majestic pomp; the virgin grace
Of every bud abashed before the white,
Pure passion-flower of her sleeping face.
"O Maytime Woods!" by Madison Julius Cawein
RIBERA.
Ay, girl, Prince John. I looked to see
A haughty joy dance sparkling in thine eyes
And burn upon thy cheek. But what is this?
Timid and pale, thou droop'st thy head abashed
As a poor flower-girl whom a lord accosts.
"The Spagnoletto. Act I" by Emma Lazarus
"Above all the daughters of men be blest--of Gilead or Asshur,"
Sang Deborah, prophetess, then, from her waving palm.
"Behold her, ye people, behold her the heathen's abasher;
Behold her the Lord hath uplifted--behold and be calm!
"Jael" by Cale Young Rice

In news:

Here's how it works this office-party season: People are still having parties, but the way to do it is sort of quietly and abashedly, a not-a-party party, which always results in some interesting fashion choices.
observer.com
***

Related words