Shy

a. [compar. SHYER, superl. SHYEST.] [A-S. sceôh, Dan. sky, Sw. skygg, Icel. skyggr, L. Ger. schou, D. schuw, M. H. Ger. schiech, schiehe, N. H. Ger. scheu; Dan. skye, Sw. sky, L. Ger. scheuen, schuwen, D. schuwen, O. H. Ger. sciuhan, N. H. Ger. scheuen, to shun, avoid, be shy.]

1Sense 1. Sensitively timid; coy; disinclined to free or familiar approach; reserved.

What makes you so shy, my good friend? Arbuthnot.

2Sense 2. Easily frightened; timid; as, a shy bird.

The horses of the army . . . were no longer shy, but would come up to my very feet without starting. Swift.

3Sense 3. Cautious; wary; suspicious.

I am very shy of using corrosive liquors in the preparation of medicines. Boyle.

Princes are, by wisdom of state, somewhat shy of their successors. Wotton.

[imp. & p. p. SHIED; p. pr. & vb. n. SHY-ING.] [See supra, and cf. SHIE.] To start suddenly aside, as if a little frightened.

n. The starting suddenly aside of a horse.

v. t. To throw sidewise, or with a careless jerk; to fling; as, to shy a stone. [Prov. Eng. Local U. S.]