timidity

Noun

1. The state of being timid; shyness.
   • […] instead of the joyous voices of his playfellows he hears the rough commands of an unindulgent master or a scolding mistress; — he is continually reproached for his awkwardness and timidity, and reminded of his...
   • This willingness to act underscores the German leader’s view that there is much at stake – and that Western Europe’s largest country (both by population and economic power) needs to step up to the demands. Timidity is...