shamefast

American  

[sheym-fast, -fahst] / ˈʃeɪmˌfæst, -ˌfɑst /

adjective

Archaic.

1. shamefaced.

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Other Word Forms

• shamefastly adverb
• shamefastness noun

Etymology

Origin of shamefast

before 900; Middle English schamfast shamefaced, originally, modest, bashful, Old English sc ( e ) amfæst; see shame, fast ¹

Example Sentences

Meanwhile the two hapless lovers, both exceeding shamefast, stood with bent heads bitterly bewailing their evil fortune, and momently expecting their death by the cruel fire.

From The Decameron, Volume II by Rigg, J. M. (James Macmullen)

O lend me all thy red, Thou shamefast morning, when from Tithons bed Thou risest ever maiden.

From The Faithful Shepherdess The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10). by Beaumont, Francis

‘She is so shamefast that she cannot brook a word;’ and in fact Lilias had pulled her hood over her face, and shrunk behind him, at the first approach of the young gentleman.

From The Caged Lion by Yonge, Charlotte Mary

Of His earth-visiting feet None knows the secret, cherished, perilous, The terrible, shamefast, frightened, whispered, sweet, Heart-shattering secret of His way with us.

From A Cluster of Grapes A Book of Twentieth Century Poetry by Various

But for wowyng thou knowest women are shamefast.

From Roister Doister Written, probably also represented, before 1553. Carefully edited from the unique copy, now at Eton College by Arber, Edward