1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Shy  \Shy\  (sh[imac]),  a.  [Compar.  {Shier}  (-[~e]r)  or  {Shyer}; 
  superl.  {Shiest}  or  {Shyest}.]  [OE.  schey  skey,  sceouh  AS 
  sce['o]h;  akin  to  Dan.  sky,  Sw  skygg  D.  schuw  MHG. 
  schiech,  G.  scheu  OHG.  sciuhen  to  be  or  make  timid.  Cf 
  {Eschew}.] 
  1.  Easily  frightened;  timid;  as  a  shy  bird. 
 
  The  horses  of  the  army  .  .  .  were  no  longer  shy,  but 
  would  come  up  to  my  very  feet  without  starting. 
  --Swift. 
 
  2.  Reserved;  coy;  disinclined  to  familiar  approach. 
 
  What  makes  you  so  shy,  my  good  friend?  There's 
  nobody  loves  you  better  than  I.  --Arbuthnot. 
 
  The  embarrassed  look  of  shy  distress  And  maidenly 
  shamefacedness.  --Wordsworth. 
 
  3.  Cautious;  wary;  suspicious. 
 
  I  am  very  shy  of  using  corrosive  liquors  in  the 
  preparation  of  medicines.  --Boyle. 
 
  Princes  are  by  wisdom  of  state,  somewhat  shy  of 
  thier  successors.  --Sir  H. 
  Wotton. 
 
  {To  fight  shy}.  See  under  {Fight},  v.  i. 

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