v.
Pronunciation: e- ' shü, i-; es- ' chü, is-; also e- ' skyü
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French eschiver (3d present eschiu ) of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sciuhen to frighten off ― more at SHY
Date: 14th century
: to avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds : SHUN
synonyms see ESCAPE
– es · chew · al \ - ə l \ noun