Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SHAME, n. [Sax. scama, sceam, sceom; G. scham; D. schaamen; Sw. and Dan. skam. Qu. Ar. حَشَمَ chashama, with a prefix, to cause shame, to blush, to reverence, Class Sm, No. 48.]

1. A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt, or of having done something which injures reputation; or by the exposure of that which nature or modesty prompts us to conceal. Shame is particularly excited by the disclosure of actions which, in the view of men, are mean and degrading. Hence it is often or always manifested by a downcast look or by blushes, called confusion of face. Hide, for shame, / Romans, your grandsires' images, that blush at their degenerate progeny. – Dryden. Shame prevails when reason is defeated. – Rambler.
2. The cause or reason of shame; that which brings reproach, and degrades a person in the estimation of others. Thus an idol is called a shame. – Hos. ix. Guides, who are the shame of religion. – South.
3. Reproach; ignominy; derision; contempt. Ye have borne the shame of the heathen. – Ezek. xxxvi.
4. The parts which modesty requires to be covered.
5. Dishonor; disgrace. – Prov. ix.