The Definition of Abash

a·bash /əˈbæʃ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-bash] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object) to destroy the self-confidence, poise, or self-possession of; disconcert; make ashamed or embarrassed: to abash someone by sneering.


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[Origin: 1275–1325; ME abaishen < dial. OF abacher, OF abaissier to put down, bring low (see abase), perh. conflated with AF abaiss-, long s. of abair, OF esba(h)ir to gape, marvel, amaze (es- ex-1 + -ba(h)ir, alter. of baer to open wide, gape < VL *batāre; cf. bay2, bay3)]

—Related forms
a·bash·ment, noun


—Synonyms shame, discompose, embarrass.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.