[f. as prec. + -NESS.]
† 1. Bashfulness of: a timid or reverential shrinking back from (something). Obs.
1534. Whitinton, Tullyes Offices, I. (1540), 42. One parte of honesty … in the which is a basshfulnes of dishonesty.
1674. N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., To Rdr. Led by such a clue of understanding, and softened by such a bashfulness of knowledge, that we may be wise and awful both in one.
2. The quality of being BASHFUL (see sense 2).
1539. Taverner, Erasm. Prov. (1552), 26. Cast awaye bashfulness where nede constrayneth.
1590. Shaks., Mids. N., III. ii. 286. Haue you no modesty, no maiden shame, No touch of bashfulnesse?
1603. Jas. I., in Ellis, Orig. Lett., I. 244, III. 80. Awaye with chyldishe bashefullnes.
1792. Mary Wollstonecr., Rights Wom., vii. 275. Modesty is the graceful calm virtue of maturity; bashfulness, the charm of vivacious youth.
1814. Scott, Wav., xlii. An air of bashfulness, which was in reality the effect of want of habitual intercourse with the world.
