Pronunciation: [ɐbˈaʃ] (IPA) 
Abash is a verb that means to make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed. The spelling of abash is a bit tricky as it does not follow the usual pronunciation rules. The word starts with the vowel sound "uh" as in "up". Next, the "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "bat". The "b" is pronounced as usual before the short "uh" sound, and the word ends with the "sh" sound as in "shoe". Therefore, the IPA phonetic transcription of abash is /əˈbæʃ/.
The term "abash" is a verb that primarily refers to the act of causing someone to feel embarrassed, self-conscious, or uneasy by displaying embarrassment or disconcertion oneself. When someone is abashed, they experience a sense of humiliation or shame due to their own actions, or often due to the actions or behavior of others. It involves overwhelming them with a feeling of unease or awkwardness, often leading to lowered confidence or a loss of composure.
The act of abashing someone can occur through various means, such as making them feel inferior or exposing their flaws or mistakes publicly. This can be achieved through mockery, ridicule, or criticism that puts them in an uncomfortable position or draws attention to their shortcomings. Abashing can also be achieved subtly through non-verbal cues or body language that imply disapproval, disappointment, or judgment.
Furthermore, the word "abash" can imply a state of self-consciousness or embarrassment in a broader sense. It can describe an individual's feeling of unease or awkwardness in unfamiliar, overwhelming, or intimidating situations, often resulting in a loss of confidence or composure.
Overall, "abash" encompasses the act of causing discomfort or humiliation to others, and also the state of feeling embarrassed, self-conscious, or uneasy oneself. It involves moments where individuals are made to feel inferior, exposed, or awkward, leading to a wide range of emotional and psychological responses.
To confuse with guilt; to make ashamed.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "abash" originated in the late 14th century from Middle English. It evolved from the Middle French word "abacher", which meant to put to shame or embarrass. The exact origin of "abacher" is uncertain, but it is believed to have derived from the Old French word "esbahir", meaning to astonish or amaze. Over time, "abacher" transformed into "abash" in English, maintaining the sense of feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
