Ashame: meaning, definitions and examples
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ashame
[ əˈʃeɪm ]
express guilt
To feel regret, sorrow, or guilt about one's actions or the actions of someone else. It involves a sense of disgrace or embarrassment.
Synonyms
embarrassed, guilty, regretful, sorry
Examples of usage
- She felt ashamed of her behavior at the party.
- He was ashamed to admit his mistake.
- They should not be ashamed of asking for help.
Etymology
The word 'ashame' is derived from the Old English 'æstemian', which was a verb meaning 'to be afraid or to deter.' Over time, this evolved into the Middle English 'ashamen,' meaning to feel shame or let one's self down in the moral sense. The prefix 'a-' often denotes a state or condition, and 'shame' is rooted in the Proto-Germanic '*skaimaz,' which conveys a sense of moral wrongdoing. The word has been present in the English lexicon for centuries, signifying feelings associated with regret and reproach. In modern usage, 'ashame' typically emphasizes emotional responses linked to personal conduct or societal norms.