| 释义 |
bashful, a.|ˈbæʃfʊl|
[f. bash v.1 + -ful; cf. also abash n., though -ful is occasionally added to vbs., as in mournful, assistful.]
†1. Wanting in self-possession, daunted, dismayed. Obs.
1552Huloet Bashfull or amased, attonitus. a1674Clarendon Hist. Reb. II. vi. 15 Those Forces would..by their success give much courage to his bashful Army. 1709Steele Tatler No. 39 ⁋7 [Duelling was] as great an Impediment to Advancement in the Service, as being bashful in Time of Action.
2. Of persons: Shrinking from publicity, shamefaced, shy. Sometimes used in a good or neutral sense = Sensitively modest in demeanour; sometimes depreciatively = Excessively self-conscious, embarrassed and ill at ease in society, ‘sheepish.’
1548Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. John xii. 12 (R.) These folke beyng very desirous to see Jesus..yet they were bashefull. 1570R. Ascham Scholem. (1863) 42 If a yong jentleman..be bashefull, and will soon blushe, they call him a babishe and ill brought up thyng. 1624Capt. Smith Virginia i. 3 His wife and children..were..well fauored and very bashful. 1764Goldsm. Trav. 21 Or press the bashful stranger to his food. 1781Cowper Convers. 347, I pity bashful men. 1810Scott Lady of L. ii. xxiv, Like Summer rose, The bashful maiden's cheek appeared.
3. Of things, actions, etc.: Characterizing or characterized by extreme sensitiveness or modesty.
1595Spenser Wks. (Grosart) IV. 122 His face with bashfull blood did flame. 1610Shakes. Temp. iii. i. 81 Hence bashfull cunning, And prompt me plaine and holy innocence. a1711Ken Hymnotheo Wks. 1721 III. 313 Naked they walk'd, but had no bashful sense. 1816Southey Poet's Pilgr. Proem 10 With impulse shy of bashful tenderness, Soliciting again the wish'd caress.
†4. Exciting a feeling of shame. Obs.
1559Mirr. Mag. 59 (T.) A woman yet must blush when bashful is the case, Though truth bid tell the story as it fell. |