embarrassment English · revision 39807

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1676, E. Coles, An English Dictionary}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ɪmˈbæɹ.əs.mənt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was formed [[af|en|embarrass|-ment]] in English, perhaps after [[m|frm|embarrassement]],^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) and Barnhart, Merriam-Webster and Klein derive it from the French noun, which is now obsolete.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Klein 1966) The verb [[embarrass]] is [[m|fr|embarrasser|t=to hamper, perplex]],^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) which was taken from [[m|es|embarazar]].^(OED 2026)^(AHD 2024)^(Hoad 1986) The sources differ on where the Spanish verb came from.^(OED 2026)^(AHD 2024) The OED, Merriam-Webster and Hoad derive it from [[m|pt|embaraçar]], from [[m|pt|baraço|t=cord, halter]], originally of an animal tied with a cord;^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986) the AHD, Ayto, Barnhart and Etymonline trace it through [[m|it|imbarazzo|t=obstacle]] to [[m|it|imbarrare|t=to bar]], from [[m|la|in-|t=in]] and [[la-vul|*barra|t=bar]], so that its literal sense would be “put behind bars”.^(AHD 2024)^(Ayto 2005)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Something that hinders; an obstacle or difficulty: 1676, in Elisha Coles's ''English Dictionary''.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988) Merriam-Webster also dates the word to 1676.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ For its first century ''embarrassment'' meant hindrance and perplexity rather than shame: the condition of being hampered from 1689, confusion or hesitation in judgement from 1721,^(OED 2026) and Johnson (1755) defined it as “perplexity; entanglement”.^(Johnson 1755) Financial difficulty, now mostly in ''financial embarrassment'', is recorded from 1727.^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002) The feeling of awkward self-consciousness is first quoted by the OED in 1751,^(OED 2026) while Barnhart and Etymonline date it to 1774, in Burke's writings.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Ayto notes that in the verb the sense “disconcert” has overtaken the older “impede”, which survives in ''financially embarrassed''.^(Ayto 2005) A thing or person that causes embarrassment is recorded from 1873 by the OED,^(OED 2026) but Etymonline dates it to 1729.^(Etymonline) An ''embarrassment of riches'', an excess of good things, is recorded from 1815,^(OED 2026) after the French ''embarras de richesse'' (1726).^(Etymonline) The sense of loss of public credibility, said of a government or organization, dates from 1897.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1676 – a hindrance or obstacle.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1689 – the condition of being hindered.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1721 – perplexity, hesitation.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1727 – financial difficulty.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1751 – awkward self-consciousness.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1774 – Barnhart's and Etymonline's date for the feeling of unease.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1815 – ''embarrassment of riches''.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1873 – a person or thing that embarrasses.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A feeling of awkward self-consciousness, [[shame]] or discomfort: ''His face went red with embarrassment.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # A person or thing that causes such feelings, or that damages someone's reputation: ''The leaked memo was an embarrassment to the council.''^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # Financial difficulty, usually ''financial embarrassment''.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # An excessive amount, especially in ''an embarrassment of riches''.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # (rare) A hindrance or difficulty.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[embarrass]]

+ * [[bar]]

+ * [[embargo]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}