Dictionary

shamefast en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈʃeɪmfɑːst/ (UK)

Etymology

From Middle English schamefast, from Old English sċamfæst (“modest”), corresponding to shame + fast.

Meanings

1. (archaic) Bashful, modest; shy.
   • Novv vvhen as vvine had drovvned and drouſed the underſtanding: vvhen the night ſeaſon, vvhen the entermingling of men and vvomen together one vvith another (and namely, they of young and tender yeeres, vvith thoſe of elder age) had cleane put out & extinguiſhed all reſpect and regard of ſhamefaſt honeſtie: there began firſt to be practiſed all ſorts of corruption, for every one had all pleaſures readie at commaundement, and his choiſe of thoſe vvhereto by nature he vvas more prone and given to luſt after. 1600, T[itus] Livius [i.e., Livy], “[Book XXXIX]”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Romane Historie […], London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC, pages 1027–1028:
   • But the women are alwayes covered about their middles with a skin, and very shamefast to be seene bare. 1624, Iohn [i.e., John] Smith, The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles: […], London: […] I[ohn] D[awson] and I[ohn] H[aviland] for Michael Sparkes, →OCLC:
   • With chaunge of cheare the seeming simple maid / Let fall her eyen, as shamefast to the earth […] 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto II”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:

Forms

Deriveds

shamefaced · shamefastly · unshamefast · shamefastness