abash

American  

[uh-bash] / əˈbæʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to destroy the self-confidence, poise, or self-possession of; disconcert; make ashamed or embarrassed.

   to abash someone by sneering.

   Synonyms:

   embarrass, discompose, shame

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abash British  

/ əˈbæʃ /

verb

1. (tr; usually passive) to cause to feel ill at ease, embarrassed, or confused; make ashamed

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Other Word Forms

• abashment noun

Etymology

Origin of abash

1275–1325; Middle English abaishen < dialectal Old French abacher, Old French abaissier to put down, bring low ( abase ), perhaps conflated with Anglo-French abaiss-, long stem of abair, Old French esba ( h ) ir to gape, marvel, amaze ( es- ex- ¹ + -ba ( h ) ir, alteration of baer to open wide, gape < Vulgar Latin *batāre; bay ², bay ³ )