unashamed
Meaning
not feeling ashamed or embarrassed about something, even if other people might disapprove
(of an action or attitude) not restrained by feelings of shame; open and unabashed
Structure
Usage
she was unashamed of her humble beginnings.
he expressed unashamed admiration for his rival's work.
their unashamed pursuit of profit drew criticism from some quarters.
Etymology
The word 'unashamed' is a straightforward English formation built upon the ancient concept of shame. Its core, 'ashamed,' originates from the Old English verb scamian, meaning "to feel shame," which itself is traced back to the Proto-Germanic root skamō-, and further to the Proto-Indo-European root (s)kem-, meaning "to cover." This etymological link reveals the original sense of shame as a desire to hide or cover oneself. The prefix 'un-,' a common negator in English since Old English times, is directly attached to negate this state. Therefore, 'unashamed' literally means "not feeling the need to cover or hide," logically evolving into its modern meaning of being free from shame or embarrassment.
Analysis
un: a prefix of germanic origin (old english un-) meaning "not," serving a negating function. ashamed: an adjective of old english origin (āscamian, from ā- (intensive) + scamian "to feel shame"), functioning as the core descriptive element.