Dictionary entry

Shamefaced

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Shame″faced′ (?), a. [For shamefast; AS. scamfæst. See Shame, n., and Fast firm.] Easily confused or put out of countenance; diffident; bashful; modest.

Your shamefaced virtue shunned the people's prise. Dryden.

Shamefaced was once shamefast, shamefacedness was shamefastness, like steadfast and steadfastness; but the ordinary manifestations of shame being by the face, have brought it to its present orthography. Trench.

— Shame″faced, adv. — Shame″faced′ness, n.