shy

1. Compulsion to remain silent and not interact with people based on poor feedback on previous attempts at socialness.
2. Lack of desire or ability to spend the amount of personal mental and emotional energy required for gaining the attention and/or respect of others in a group.
3. Commonly associated with being an introvert, having the tendency to gain strength from oneself and lose strength on others

Shy (shI), a. [Compar. Shier (-ər) or Shyer; superl. Shiest or Shyest.] [OE. schey, skey, sceouh, AS. sceóh; 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 their successors.
Sir H. Wotton.

To fight shy. See under Fight, v. i.

© Webster 1913

Shy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Shying.] [From Shy, a.]

To start suddenly aside through fright or suspicion; -- said especially of horses.

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Shy, v. t.

To throw sidewise with a jerk; to fling; as, to shy a stone; to shy a slipper. T. Hughes.

© Webster 1913

Shy, n.

1.

A sudden start aside, as by a horse.

2.

A side throw; a throw; a fling. Thackeray.

If Lord Brougham gets a stone in his hand, he must, it seems, have a shy at somebody.
Punch.

© Webster 1913

Shy (?), a.

Inadequately supplied; short; lacking; as, the team is shy two players. [Slang]

© Webster 1913