What does the term 'abash' mean?

The term 'abash' means to cause someone to feel embarrassed or ashamed. This word is often used in contexts where a person feels self-conscious or diminished due to a particular situation. For example, if someone makes an error in public, they may feel abashed because of the attention drawn to their mistake. The emotional response associated with 'abash' is closely tied to feelings of discomfort or humiliation, making it distinct from terms like elevating self-esteem or inspiring confidence, which indicate positive feelings or self-affirmation. Similarly, provoking anger does not align with the core meaning of 'abash,' as it relates more to causing emotional distress rather than embarrassment. Thus, the understanding of the term 'abash' is centered around its definition of inducing embarrassment.