shy
/ʃaɪ/
noun
- 1
An act of throwing.
- 2
A place for throwing.
“coconut shy”
- 3
A sudden start aside, as by a horse.
- 4
In the Eton College wall game, a point scored by lifting the ball against the wall in the calx.
verb
- 1
To avoid due to timidness or caution.
“I shy away from investment opportunities I don't understand.”
- 2
To jump back in fear.
“The horse shied away from the rider, which startled him so much he shied away from the horse.”
- 3
To throw sideways with a jerk; to fling
“shy a slipper”
adjective
- 1
Easily frightened; timid.
- 2
Reserved; disinclined to familiar approach.
“He is very shy with strangers.”
- 3
Cautious; wary; suspicious.
- 4
Short, insufficient or less than.
“By our count your shipment came up two shy of the bill of lading amount.”
- 5
Embarrassed.
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