n.
Pronunciation: ' sh ā m
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English scamu; akin to Old High German scama shame
Date: before 12th century
1 a : a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety b : the susceptibility to such emotion <have you no shame ?>
2 : a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute : IGNOMINY <the shame of being arrested>
3 a : something that brings censure or reproach also : something to be regretted : PITY <it's a shame you can't go> b : a cause of feeling shame