In a state of blushing; flushed or reddened in the face, especially from embarrassment or shame.
From 'a-' (in state of) + 'blush.' Following the Old English 'a-' construction for states and conditions, this term appears in English literature from the 16th century, especially in poetic contexts.
Shakespeare would write 'her cheeks were ablush' to paint a romantic image, and we still understand it even though we'd say 'blushing' today. The 'a-' prefix for emotions is gone—we don't say 'aflattered' or 'aforlorn' anymore, just blushing.
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