scheu

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Dutch

Etymology

from Proto-West Germanic *skeuh.

Pronunciation

Adjective

scheu (comparative scheuer, superlative scheust)

  1. queer

German

Etymology

From Middle High German schiech, schiehe, schie, schiuch, schiuhe, schūche, from Old High German *skioh, from Proto-West Germanic *skeuh.

The modern form goes back to the Central German forms with -iu-, -ū-. These are usually interpreted as alterations based on Scheu (noun) and scheuen (verb), though this does not seem unquestionable in view of Middle Dutch schu, Middle Low German schǖ. The form with -ie- remains in dialectal Upper German schiech (ugly). Cognate with Dutch schuw, English shy.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ʃɔʏ̯/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɔɪ̯

Adjective

scheu (strong nominative masculine singular scheuer, comparative scheuer, superlative am scheuesten or am scheusten)

  1. shy (reserved)
    Synonyms: zurückhaltend, schüchtern
  2. shy, skittish, startlish (easily frightened)
    Synonym: schreckhaft

Usage notes

  • Compare schüchtern for notes on the distinction between these semantically similar words.

Declension

Derived terms

See also

Further reading

  • scheu” in Duden online
  • scheu” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache

Middle English

Etymology 1

From Old English hēo.

Pronoun

scheu

  1. Alternative form of sche

Etymology 2

From Old French escu.

Noun

scheu

  1. Alternative form of skew (gable stone)