(~er, ~est, shies, ~ing, shied)
1.
A ~ person is nervous and uncomfortable in the company of other people.
She was a ~ and retiring person off-stage...
He is painfully ~ of women.
ADJ
~ly
The children smiled ~ly.
ADV: usu ADV with v
~ness
Eventually he overcame his ~ness.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
If you are ~ of doing something, you are unwilling to do it because you are afraid of what might happen.
You should not be ~ of having your say in the running of the school.
ADJ: oft ADJ of -ing
3.
When a horse shies, it moves away suddenly, because something has frightened it.
Llewelyn’s stallion shied as the wind sent sparks flying.
VERB: V
4.
A number or amount that is just ~ of another number or amount is just under it.
...a high-school dropout rate just ~ of 53%...
= short of
PREP-PHRASE