SHY

I. adjective (shier or ~er; shiest or ~est) Etymology: Middle English schey, from Old English scēoh; akin to Old High German sciuhen to frighten off Date: before 12th century easily frightened ; timid , disposed to avoid a person or thing , hesitant in committing oneself ; circumspect , sensitively diffident or retiring ; reserved , secluded , hidden , having less than the full or specified amount or number ; short , disreputable , ~ly adverb ~ness noun Synonyms: see: ~ II. intransitive verb (shied; ~ing) Date: 1649 to develop or show a dislike or distaste, to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm, III. noun (plural shies) Date: 1791 a sudden start aside (as from fright), IV. verb (shied; ~ing) Etymology: perhaps from 1~ Date: 1787 intransitive verb to make a sudden throw, transitive verb to throw (an object) with a jerk ; fling , V. noun (plural shies) Date: 1791 the act of ~ing ; toss , throw , a verbal fling or attack, cock~