pudic \PYU-dik\ (adjective) - Modest as a result of being chaste, having a very sensitive sense of shame.
"Bigelow was so pudic in his demeanor, girls were attracted to him like blind moths to an unlit candle."
Latin pudic-us "shamefaced, modest, chaste" via French "pudique." From pud-ere "to make or be ashamed." While American dictionaries no longer list this word, it continues to be used in Britain. The adverb is the standard "pudically" and the noun, "pudicity." This word is entrenched in our vocabulary from the days when pure and chaste maidens were supposed to be ashamed of their attraction to men. Blushing or, better, fainting at words like "love" and "kiss" were taken as strong signs girls were pudic and behaving themselves.
"Bigelow was so pudic in his demeanor, girls were attracted to him like blind moths to an unlit candle."
Latin pudic-us "shamefaced, modest, chaste" via French "pudique." From pud-ere "to make or be ashamed." While American dictionaries no longer list this word, it continues to be used in Britain. The adverb is the standard "pudically" and the noun, "pudicity." This word is entrenched in our vocabulary from the days when pure and chaste maidens were supposed to be ashamed of their attraction to men. Blushing or, better, fainting at words like "love" and "kiss" were taken as strong signs girls were pudic and behaving themselves.
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