shy

1.
adj., v., & n.
—adj. (shyer, shyest or shier, shiest)
1 a diffident or uneasy in company; timid. b (of an animal, bird, etc.) easily startled; timid.
2 (foll. by of) avoiding; chary of (shy of his aunt; shy of going to meetings).
3 (in comb.) showing fear of or distaste for (gun-shy; work-shy).
4 (often foll. by of, on) colloq. having lost; short of (I'm shy three quid; shy of the price of admission).
—v.intr. (shies, shied)
1 (usu. foll. by at) (esp. of a horse) start suddenly aside (at an object, noise, etc.) in fright.
2 (usu. foll. by away from, at) avoid accepting or becoming involved in (a proposal etc.) in alarm.
—n. a sudden startled movement.
Derivatives:
shyer n. shyly adv. (also shily). shyness n.
Etymology: OE sceoh f. Gmc
2.
v. & n.
—v.tr. (shies, shied) (also absol.) fling or throw (a stone etc.).
—n. the act or an instance of shying.
Phrases and idioms:
have a shy at colloq.
1 try to hit with a stone etc.
2 make an attempt at.
3 jeer at.
Derivatives:
shyer n.
Etymology: 18th c.: orig. unkn.