Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Embarrass \Em*bar"rass\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Embarrassed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Embarrassing}.] [F. embarrasser (cf. Sp.
embarazar, Pg. embara?ar, Pr. barras bar); pref. em- (L. in)
+ LL. barra bar. See {Bar}.]
1. To hinder from freedom of thought, speech, or action by
something which impedes or confuses mental action; to
perplex; to discompose; to disconcert; as, laughter may
embarrass an orator.
2. To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to
obstruct; as, business is embarrassed; public affairs are
embarrassed.
3. (Com.) To involve in difficulties concerning money
matters; to incumber with debt; to beset with urgent
claims or demands; -- said of a person or his affairs; as,
a man or his business is embarrassed when he can not meet
his pecuniary engagements.
Syn: To hinder; perplex; entangle; confuse; puzzle;
disconcert; abash; distress. -- To {Embarrass},
{Puzzle}, {Perplex}. We are puzzled when our faculties
are confused by something we do not understand. We are
perplexed when our feelings, as well as judgment, are so
affected that we know not how to decide or act. We are
embarrassed when there is some bar or hindrance upon us
which impedes our powers of thought, speech, or motion.
A schoolboy is puzzled by a difficult sum; a reasoner is
perplexed by the subtleties of his opponent; a youth is
sometimes so embarrassed before strangers as to lose his
presence of mind.
Source : WordNet®
embarrassed
adj 1: feeling or caused to feel uneasy and self-conscious; "felt
abashed at the extravagant praise"; "chagrined at the
poor sales of his book"; "was embarrassed by her
child's tantrums" [syn: {abashed}, {chagrined}]
2: caused to feel self-conscious and uncomfortable; "was
discomfited by the personal questions"; "the child felt
embarrassed by the attention of the adults" [syn: {discomfited}]
3: made to feel uncomfortable because of shame or wounded
pride; "too embarrassed to say hello to his drunken father
on the street"; "humiliated that his wife had to go out to
work"; "felt mortified by the comparison with her sister"
[syn: {humiliated}, {mortified}]