Obs. Forms: 4 baise-n, bayse-n, 4–6 basshe-n, 5 basche, baysche, 6 bashe, 6–7 bash. North. 4 baise, 6 base. [Aphetic form of ABASH v.]
1. trans. To destroy the confidence or self-possession of; to daunt, dismay, discomfit; to disconcert, put out of countenance, abash.
c. 1375. (MS. c. 1440) Morte Arth., 2857. Rees noghte baiste of ȝone boyes, ne of þaire bryghte wedis!
c. 1480. Kyng & Hermit, 442, in Hazl., E. P. P. (1864), 30. Thoff I be here in pore clothing, I am no bayschyd for to bryng Gestys two or thre.
1515. Scot. Field, 179, in Chetham Misc., II. Because they bashed them at Berwick, that boldeth them the more.
1594. Carew, Tasso (1881), 104. He made Semblant, as nought him could dismay or bash.
2. intr. a. To be daunted or dismayed; to quail, lose confidence; to be confounded.
c. 1340. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 376. He baldly hym bydez, he bayst neuer þe helder.
1382. Wyclif, Josh. ii. 11. Oure herte basshede, ne spiryt bood in us.
c. 1450. Lonelich, Grail, xxxvii. 244. Grettere tempestes … where offen they bascheden.
1580. North, Plutarch (1676), 38. Alcander … strake out one of his eyes … Yet for all this Lycurgus never bashed.
b. To be put out of countenance; to shrink back for shame, to be ashamed or abashed. Const. inf., at.
c. 1460. Russell, Bk. Nurture, in Babees Bk. (1868), 161. With salt & wyne serue ye hym þe same, boldly & not to basshe.
1554. Philpot, Exam. & Writ. (1842), 303. Their corrupt faces bash not to deny the eternal Son of God.
1589. Greene, Tullies Loue, Wks. 1882, VII. 115. Like Diana when shee basht at Acteons presence.
1606. Holland, Sueton., 148. He bashed not to kisse him even in the open Theater. Ibid. (1610), Camden’s Brit. (1637), 309. Bash not, but deigne (I pray) to be my Soveraigne Ladie deere.
