v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' bash
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English abaishen, from Anglo-French abaiss-, abair to astonish, alteration of esbair, from ex- + baer to open wide, gape ― more at ABEYANCE
Date: 14th century
: to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of : DISCONCERT
synonyms see EMBARRASS
– abash · ment \ -m ə nt \ noun