shamefaced

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   showing shame, guilt, or embarrassment, often through an awkward or subdued expression

   He gave a shamefaced laugh after admitting that he had lost the letter.

2. 2
   adj

   dated: modest, bashful, or very shy

   The shamefaced student looked down when the audience applauded her.

A folk-etymological alteration of shamefast, from Middle English schamefast and Old English scamfaest, 'modest or restrained by shame.' Speakers reinterpreted the unfamiliar -fast as faced, but the traditional pronunciation still ends in /feɪst/.

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