\A*bash"\ ([.a]*b[a^]sh"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abashed}
([.a]*b[a^]sht"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Abashing}.] [OE. abaissen,
abaisshen, abashen, OF. esbahir, F. ['e]bahir, to astonish,
fr. L. ex + the interjection bah, expressing astonishment. In
OE. somewhat confused with abase. Cf. {Finish}.]
To destroy the self-possession of; to confuse or confound, as
by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or
inferiority; to put to shame; to disconcert; to discomfit.
      Abashed, the devil stood, And felt how awful goodness
      is.                                      --Milton.
      He was a man whom no check could abash.  --Macaulay.
Syn: To confuse; confound; disconcert; shame.
Usage: To {Abash}, Confuse, {Confound}. Abash is a stronger
       word than confuse, but not so strong as confound. We
       are abashed when struck either with sudden shame or
       with a humbling sense of inferiority; as, Peter was
       abashed by the look of his Master. So a modest youth
       is abashed in the presence of those who are greatly
       his superiors. We are confused when, from some
       unexpected or startling occurrence, we lose clearness
       of thought and self-possession. Thus, a witness is
       often confused by a severe cross-examination; a timid
       person is apt to be confused in entering a room full
       of strangers. We are confounded when our minds are
       overwhelmed, as it were, by something wholly
       unexpected, amazing, dreadful, etc., so that we have
       nothing to say. Thus, a criminal is usually confounded
       at the discovery of his guilt.
             Satan stood Awhile as mute, confounded what to
             say.                              --Milton.