n. & v.
--n.
1. a feeling of distress or humiliation caused by consciousness of the guilt or folly of oneself or an associate.
2 a capacity for experiencing this feeling, esp. as imposing a restraint on behaviour (has no sense of shame).
3 a state of disgrace, discredit, or intense regret.
4 a a person or thing that brings disgrace etc. b a thing or action that is wrong or regrettable.
--v.tr.
1. bring shame on; make ashamed; put to shame.
2 (foll. by into, out of) force by shame (was shamed into confessing).
Phrases and idioms:
for shame! a reproof to a person for not showing shame. put to shame disgrace or humiliate by revealing superior qualities etc. shame on you! you should be ashamed. what a shame! how unfortunate!
Etymology: OE sc(e)amu