(a) To refuse to practice (an activity, a vice), refrain from (sth.), eschew; also, spare (sb.) [last quot.]; also, be eschewed [quot.: ?a1450]; ~ from, refrain from (sth.); (b) to refuse (to do sth.), object, decline; -- also with noun clause as obj. [1st quot.]; ~ ayenes, object to (God's will), resist; (c) to reject (sb. or sth.), forsake, abandon; deny (a doctrine); disregard (a tale); throw off (a yoke); (d) to abhor (sb. or sth.), dislike, disdain; disdain (to do sth.); dislike (that sb. do sth.).

(a) To get away from (sb. or sth.), flee from; have nothing to do with (sb. or sth.), avoid; also fig.; -- also without obj.; ~ aqueintaunce (compaignie, mone); ~ awei from, flee from (evil); (b) to ensure safety from (death, etc.), escape (sth. threatening); prevent (sth.), stop; avoid (a spear), evade, ?deflect; also, prevent (the spirit or sth. from doing sth.) [quot.: a1382]; also, escape [last quot.]; (c) to keep to oneself, avoid company.

(a) To be afraid, fear; -- also refl.; also, hold back, hesitate; fear (sth., to do sth.); ppl. shoninge, fearful; shoninge from, shrinking back from (a sword); (b) to beware of (sth. or sb.), guard against (sth.); take care (that sth. happen, lest sth. happen); ~ from, guard (oneself) from (sb.).

ben shoned, translating L revereor: to be disgraced, be covered with shame; -- perh. confused with shonden v.