Middle English Dictionary Entry

shāmen v.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms shāmen v. Also sham(e, shamie(n, ssam(i)e, (N) scam & (chiefly early) sam(i)e, (early) scam(i)en, scamigen, sceamien, sceamigen & sheme, shome(n, shomon, chomen, (early) shemien, shomie, somen, (early SW or SWM) scomen, scomie(n, sheome, sceomigen, cheomien & (early SWM) scumi. Forms: sg.3 shāmeth, etc. & (early) scamet; pl. shāmen, etc. & shāmun; p.pl. shāmed(e, etc. & (N) scōmed & (early SWM) sceomeden; ppl. shāmed, etc. & ishāmed, chāmed, (early SWM) isheomet & (?error) shame, (error) shamled.
Etymology OE sceamian, scamian, sceomigan, (chiefly Merc.) scomien; for N forms in sc- also cp. ON: cp. OI skamma.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1a.
(a) To feel shame, be ashamed; blush, show physical signs of shame; also fig.; ~ for, be ashamed in the presence of (sb.); ppl. shamed, ashamed, filled with shame; (b) to be ashamed of (sb. or sth.); (c) to be ashamed (that sth. occurred); (d) to be ashamed or reluctant (to do sth.); (e) ~ for, to be ashamed of (wicked behavior), repent (sin); ~ of, be ashamed of (sb. or sth.); feel sorry for (one's sins); feel shame in (confessing sins) [quot.: a1425]; ~ with, be ashamed of (sb. or sth.); feel sorry for (one's sins); (f) ben shamed, to be filled with shame, become ashamed; be ashamed (to do sth.); ben shamed for, be ashamed in the sight of (sb.) [quot.: c1450(?a1400)]; ben shamed of (upon), be ashamed of (sth.); ben shamed ther-of; (g) refl. to be ashamed; be ashamed (because of sth.); be ashamed (that sth. occurred); also, be afraid (that sth. may happen); be ashamed or reluctant (to do sth.); ~ of, be ashamed of (sth.); (h) to cause (sb.) to feel shame, put to shame.
Show 72 Quotations
1b.
Impers. (a) him (you, etc.) shameth, it causes him (you, etc.) to feel shame; he is (you are, etc.) ashamed or embarrassed; hit shameth, ?it causes shame; ?it causes reluctance; (b) him shameth, hit) shameth thee, etc., it causes him shame (that sth. has happened or might happen), he is ashamed (that sth. has happened or might happen), etc.; (c) me (him, etc.) shameth, it causes me (him, etc.) shame (to do sth.), I am (he is, etc.) ashamed (to do sth.); (d) me shameth of (with), thee shameth for, etc., I am ashamed of (sth. or sb.), you are ashamed of (sth.), etc.
Show 29 Quotations
2.
To regard (sb. or sth.) with awe or reverence; respect (sb. or sth.); fear (sb. or sth.); ~ of, fear (sth.), respect (sb.); ~ the world (men), respect the opinion of others.
Show 7 Quotations
3.
(a) To put (sb., oneself) to shame, disgrace; dishonor (sb.) by physical injury; also, defeat (sb.); ~ on, bring disgrace upon (sb.), injure; ~ with, cause fear among (people); ppl. shamed, disgraced; shamed with, disgraced by (sb.); (b) ben (waxen) shamed, to be (become) disgraced; (c) thee (you) shameth, hit shameth thee, it disgraces you; (d) to disgrace (sb.) with (sth.), put (sb.) to shame by doing (sth.); ~ it you or yours, bring disgrace upon you; (e) to disgrace (sth.); also, overthrow (sth.).
Show 39 Quotations
4.
To reproach (sb.); blame (sb.); say disgraceful things about (sb.).
Show 5 Quotations
5.
In proverbs.
Show 6 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: A quot. from a1225 Trin.Hom.Creed 23, formerly treated here under sense 1a.(h) -- MED evidently following Morris's translation "to shame" -- has been removed to tosamen adv. sense 1., a much more plausible interpretation.

©2024 Regents of the University of Michigan. For details about this collection's copyright see the MEC copyright statement and the U-M Library Copyright Policy. Data last refreshed Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 13:27:00.