- shy
- shyshy1 [shī]adj.shyer or shier, shyest or shiest [ME schei, dial. development < OE sceoh, akin to Ger scheu, shy, prob. < IE * skeuk-, harassed (> OSlav ščuti, to pursue); akin to * skeub- > SCOFF1]1. easily frightened or startled; timid2. not at ease with other people; extremely self-conscious; bashful3. showing distrust or caution; wary4. not bearing or breeding well, as some plants; unproductive☆ 5. Slanga) not having paid money due, as one's poker anteb) lacking; short (on or of)vi.shied, shying1. to move suddenly as when startled; jump; start; recoil [the horse shied at the gunshot]2. to react negatively; be or become cautious or unwilling; draw back: often with at or fromn.pl. shiesan act of shying; start, as of a horse——————fight shy ofto keep from; avoid; evadeshyern.shylyadv.shynessn.SYN.- SHY1 implies a shrinking from the notice of others and a reticence in approaching them, either as an inherent trait or as resulting from inexperience; BASHFUL implies such shyness as is displayed in awkward behavior and embarrassed timidity; DIFFIDENT implies a self-distrust and lack of self-confidence that makes one reluctant to assert oneself; MODEST implies an unassuming manner in one who, because of ability, achievements, etc., might be expected to assert himself or herself strongly; DEMURE, in current usage, suggests a decorously modest manner, often one that is affectedly so-ANT. BOLD, CONFIDENTshy2 [shī]vt., vi.shied, shying [< ?]to throw or fling, esp. sideways with a jerk [shying stones at a target]n.pl. shies1. the act of shying; fling2. Informal a try or attempt3. Informal a gibe
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.