[em.bar.rass] vt [F embarrasser, fr. Sp embarazar, fr. Pg embaracar, fr. em- (fr. L in-) + baraca noose] (1672) 1 a: to place in doubt, perplexity, or difficulties b: to involve in financial difficulties c: to cause to experience a state of self-conscious distress "bawdy stories ~ed him"
2. a: to hamper the movement of b: hinder, impede
3: to make intricate: complicate
4: to impair the activity of (a bodily function) or the function of (a bodily part) "digestion ~ed by overeating" -- em.bar.rass.able adj syn embarrass, discomfit, abash, disconcert, rattle mean to distress by confusing or confounding. embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action "embarrassed to admit that she liked the movie". discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion "hecklers discomfited the speaker". abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority "abashed by her swift and cutting retort". disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy "disconcerted by finding so many in attendance". rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment "rattled by all the television cameras".