"Shy" Definition

Definitions for the word "Shy" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. adj.
(shyer, shyest or shier, shiest) 1 a timid and nervous in company; self-conscious. B (of animals etc.) Easily startled. 2 (in comb.) Disliking or fearing (work-shy). v. (shies, shied) 1 (usu. Foll. By at) (esp. Of a horse) turn suddenly aside in fright. 2 (usu. Foll. By away from, at) avoid involvement in. n. Sudden startled movement. shyly adv. (also shily). Shyness n. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
2. v.
(shies, shied) (also absol.) Fling, throw. n. (pl. Shies) fling, throw. [origin unknown]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
3. slang
a throw. _See_ the following:—
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
4. slang
to fling; COCK-SHY, a game at fairs, consisting of throwing short sticks at trinkets or cocoanuts set upon other sticks,—both name and practice derived from the old game of throwing or SHYING at live cocks. This game is best known to the London public as “three shies a penny.”
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
5. slang
to stop suddenly, or turn off, as a horse does when frightened.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864

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