shyness
UK[ˈʃaɪnəs]US[ˈʃaɪnəs]
n
the feeling of being nervous or embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people.
n
the quality or state of being easily frightened or timid.
Morpheme Breakdown
shy
ness
shy
easily frightened
ness
state or quality
Etymology
the word 'shyness' is a modern english formation built upon the old english adjective 'sceoh', meaning 'timid' or 'easily startled'. the suffix '-ness', also from old english '-nes', is a prolific and enduring means of converting adjectives into nouns denoting a state or condition. therefore, 'shyness' literally translates to 'the state of being timid'. while the old english root 'sceoh' is of germanic origin, its precise proto-indo-european ancestry is unclear, though it may relate to concepts of fright or flight. the semantic core has remained remarkably stable, evolving from a physical sense of being easily startled to encompassing social anxiety and reserve.
Analysis
Structure: shy (easily frightened) + ness (state or quality)
shy (of old english origin, meaning 'easily frightened, timid'); ness (a noun-forming suffix of old english origin, used to form abstract nouns indicating a state, condition, or quality).
Examples
her shyness made it difficult for her to make new friends at the large university.
he overcame his childhood shyness to become a confident public speaker.
the kitten's shyness gradually faded after a few days in its new home.