Shying: meaning, definitions and examples
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shying
[ ʃaɪɪŋ ]
behavioral reaction
Shying refers to the act of drawing back or becoming timid in response to a stimulus, often due to fear or apprehensiveness. This term is commonly used in the context of animals, particularly horses, that shy away from something that frightens them. It can also apply to people who exhibit hesitance or reluctance, particularly in social situations. The behavior can involve both physical movement away from a source of fear and a mental feeling of insecurity.
Synonyms
cowering, flinching, recoiling, trembling
Examples of usage
- The horse started shying at the sudden noise.
- He tends to shy away during social gatherings.
- When the dog saw the thunderstorm, it began shying.
- She was shying from the attention in the room.
Word origin
The term 'shy' has its origins in the Middle English word 'shy' or 'shye,' which derived from the Old Norse word 'skýr,' meaning 'to cut, divide, or separate.' This has evolved through various forms and usages over centuries. Initially used to describe something that is cut off or separated, it gradually adopted a connotation of cautiousness or timidity. By the 15th century, 'shy' began to be used more broadly to denote someone who is reserved or reluctant to engage socially. The evolution of 'shy' to 'shying' denotes an action related to that timidity, indicating a behavior that embodies that sense of withdrawing or recoiling from something perceived as threatening or intimidating.