Abash

For other uses, see Abash (disambiguation).

Abash is a term that generally means to make someone feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed. It is often used in literature and everyday language to describe a state of emotional discomfort or confusion caused by a situation or another person's actions.

Etymology

The word "abash" originates from the Old French word abaissier, which means "to lower" or "to humble." It was later adopted into Middle English as abashen.

Usage in Literature

The term "abash" is frequently used in literature to convey a character's emotional state. For example, in the works of William Shakespeare, characters often feel abashed when confronted with their own shortcomings or when they are publicly humiliated.

Psychological Perspective

From a psychological standpoint, feeling abashed can be linked to the concept of self-esteem and social anxiety. When individuals are abashed, they may experience a temporary drop in self-esteem and an increase in anxiety, particularly in social situations.

Related Terms

• Embarrassment
• Shame
• Humiliation
• Disconcerted

See Also

• Emotion
• Social psychology
• Self-consciousness