shy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a quick throw

   They gave the ball a shy to first base.

2. 2
   adj

   Easily frightened; timid.

   The horses of the army, and those of the royal stables, having been daily led before me, were no longer shy, but would come up to my very feet without starting.

3. 3
   adj

   Reserved; disinclined to familiar approach.

   He is very shy with strangers.

4. 4
   adj

   Cautious; wary; suspicious.

   We grant, although he had much wit, / H' was very shy of using it; / As being loth to wear it out, / And therefore bore it not about,

5. 5
   adj

   Short, insufficient or less than.

   By our count your shipment came up two shy of the bill of lading amount.

6. 6
   adj

   Less likely to reveal whom they will vote for than average, chiefly in the context of the collective effect this has on polling accuracy.

   Pollsters need to remember the shy Tory factor.

7. 7
   verb

   To avoid due to caution, embarrassment or timidness.

   Courts might tend to shy from limiting Congress under such a vague standard.

8. 8
   verb

   To jump back in fear.

   The horse shied at the unexpected approach of a motor vehicle.

Etymology

From Middle English shy (“shy”), from Old English sċēoh (“shy”), from Proto-West Germanic *skeuh (“shy, fearful”), from Proto-Germanic *skeuhaz (“shy, fearful”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian skjou (“shy”), Dutch schuw (“shy”), German scheu (“shy”), Danish sky (“shy”). Etymology tree Middle English shy English shy