Abash
Pronunciation
- RP IPA: /əˈbæʃ/
- GenAm IPA: /əˈbæʃ/
- Rhymes: -æʃ
Origin
First attested in 1303. From Middle English abaisen, abaishen, abashen ("to gape with surprise") etc., from Anglo-Norman abaïss, from Middle French abair, abaïsser ("to astonish, alter"), from Old French esbaïr, ébahir, from es ("utterly") + bair ("to astonish"), from Latin ex- ("out of") + baer ("to gape"), from batÄre ("to yawn, gape").
SOED5|page=2
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Full definition of abash
Verb
- (transitive) To make ashamed; to embarrass; to destroy the self-possession of, as by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or inferiority; to disconcert; to discomfit. First attested from around (1150 to 1350)."He was a man whom no check could abash." – Thomas Babington Macaulay.
- (intransitive, obsolete) To lose self-possession; to become ashamed. Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 16th century.
Usage notes
Of abash, confuse, confound: Abash is a stronger word than confuse, but not so strong as confound.
We are abashed when struck either with sudden shame or with a humbling sense of inferiority; as, Peter was abashed by the look of his Master. So a modest youth is abashed in the presence of those who are greatly his superiors.
We are confused when, from some unexpected or startling occurrence, we lose clearness of thought and self-possession. Thus, a witness is often confused by a severe cross-examination; a timid person is apt to be confused in entering a room full of strangers.
We are confounded when our minds are overwhelmed, as it were, by something wholly unexpected, amazing, dreadful, etc., so that we have nothing to say. Thus, a criminal is usually confounded at the discovery of his guilt.
- Satan stood Awhile as mute, confounded what to say. – John Milton