Search the Dictionary

device that deludes and disappoint; a make-believe; delusion; imposture, humbug. "A mere sham." Bp. Stillingfleet. Believe who will the solemn sham, not I. Addison.

A saxicoline singing bird (Kittacincla macroura) of India, noted for the sweetness and power of its song. In confinement it imitates the notes of other birds and various animals with accuracy. Its head, neck, back, breast, and tail are glossy black, the rump white, the under parts chestnut.

A priest of Shamanism; a wizard among the Shamanists.

Of or pertaining to Shamanism.

ic, Mongol, and Turkish), and which still survives in various parts of Northern Asia. The Shaman, or wizard priest, deals with good as well as with evil spirits, especially the good spirits of ancestors. Encyc. Brit.

An adherent of Shamanism.

A place where butcher's meat is sold. As summer flies are in the shambles. Shak.

Characterized by an awkward, irregular pace; as, a shambling trot; shambling legs.

tion, or of the exposure of that which nature or modesty prompts us to conceal. HIde, for shame, Romans, your grandsires' images, That blush at their degenerate progeny. Dryden. Have you no modesty, no maiden shame Shak.

Shameless. Shak.

Easily confused or put out of countenance; diffident; bashful; modest. Your shamefaced virtue shunned the people's prise. Dryden.

Modest; shamefaced. -- Shame"fast*ly, adv. -- Shame"fast*ness, n. [Archaic] See Shamefaced. Shamefast she was in maiden shamefastness. Chaucer. [Conscience] is a blushing shamefast spirit. Shak. Modest apparel with shamefastness. 1 Tim. ii. 9 (Rev. Ver.).

Bringing shame or disgrace; injurious to reputation; disgraceful. His naval preparations were not more surprising than his quick and shameful retreat. Arbuthnot.

Destitute of shame; wanting modesty; brazen-faced; insensible to disgrace. "Such shameless bards we have." Pope. Shame enough to shame thee, wert thou not shameless. Shak.

One who, or that which, disgraces, or makes ashamed. Beau & Fl.

One who shams; an impostor. Johnson.

the chamois, but now made also from the skin of the sheep, goat, kid, deer, and calf. See Shamoying. [Written also chamois, shamoy, and shamois.]

See Shammy.

A process used in preparing certain kinds of leather, which consists in frizzing the skin, and working oil into it to supply the place of the astringent (tannin, alum, or the like) ordinarily used in tanning.

The act of shampooing.