shame

[[t]ʃeɪm[/t]]

n. v. shamed, sham•ing

1) the painful feeling of having done or experienced something dishonorable, improper, foolish, etc

2) capacity to experience this feeling:

to be without shame[/ex]

3) disgrace; ignominy

4) a cause for regret, disappointment, etc.:

It was a shame you weren't there[/ex]

5) to cause to feel shame

6) to activate or motivate through shame:

He shamed me into going[/ex]

7) to cause to suffer disgrace

•

- for shame put to shame

Etymology: bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE sc(e)amu, c. OOHGskama, ON skǫmm; (v.) ME scham(i)en to be ashamed, OE sc(e)amian sham′a•ble, shame′a•ble, adj. sham′a•bly, shame′a•bly, adv. syn: shame, embarrassment, humiliation, chagrin designate different kinds or degrees of painful feeling caused by injury to one's pride or self-respect. shame is a painful feeling caused by the consciousness or exposure of unworthy or indecent conduct or circumstances: One feels shame at being caught in a lie. It is similar to guilt in the nature and origin of the feeling. embarrassment usu. refers to a less painful feeling, one associated with less serious situations, often of a social nature: embarrassment over breaking a vase at a party. humiliation is a feeling of embarrassment at being humbled in the estimation of others: Being ignored gave him a sense of humiliation. chagrin is humiliation mingled with vexation or anger: She felt chagrin at her failure to do well on the test.