Edit page | Page history | Printable version

shun

To avoid; to keep clear of; to get out of the way of; to escape from; to eschew; as, to shun rocks, shoals, vice. I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of god. (acts xx. 26,27) Scarcity and want shall shun you. (Shak)

Synonym: See avoid.

Origin: OE. Shunien, schunien, schonien, AS. Scunian, sceonian; cf. D. Schuinen to slepe, schuin oblique, sloping, Icel. Skunda, skynda, to hasten. Cf. Schooner, Scoundrel, Shunt.