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Coy vs Abashed - What's the difference?

coy | abashed |

As adjectives the difference between coy and abashed

is that coy is (dated) bashful, shy, retiring while abashed is embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.

As verbs the difference between coy and abashed

is that coy is (obsolete) to caress, pet; to coax, entice while abashed is (abash).

As a noun coy

is a trap from which waterfowl may be hunted.

coy

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) coi, earlier .

Adjective

(er)
  • (dated) Bashful, shy, retiring.
  • (archaic) Quiet, reserved, modest.
  • Reluctant to give details about something sensitive; notably prudish.
  • Pretending shyness or modesty, especially in an insincere or flirtatious way.
  • Soft, gentle, hesitating.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Enforced hate, / Instead of love's coy touch, shall rudely tear thee.
    Derived terms
    * coyly * coyness

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To caress, pet; to coax, entice.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Come sit thee down upon this flowery bed, / While I thy amiable cheeks do coy .
  • (obsolete) To calm or soothe.
  • To allure; to decoy.
  • * Bishop Rainbow
    • A wiser generation, who have the art to coy the fonder sort into their nets.

    Etymology 2

    Compare decoy.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A trap from which waterfowl may be hunted.

    • References

    * [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=coy&searchmode=none]

    abashed

    English

    Alternative forms

    * abasht (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.

    • Derived terms

    * abashedness

    Verb

    (head)
  • (abash)