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adjective
1.
artfully or affectedly shy or reserved; slyly hesitant; coquettish.
2.
shy; modest.
3.
showing reluctance, especially when insincere or affected, to reveal one's plans or opinions, make a commitment, or take a stand: The mayor was coy about his future political aspirations.
4.
Archaic. disdainful; aloof.
5.
Obsolete. quiet; reserved.
verb (used without object)
6.
Archaic. to act in a coy manner.
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Coy
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
| to flee; abscond: |
verb (used with object) Obsolete.
7.
to quiet; soothe.
8.
to pat; caress.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French coi, quoy calm, Old French quei < Vulgar Latin *quētus, for Latin quiētus quiet
1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French coi, quoy calm, Old French quei < Vulgar Latin *quētus, for Latin quiētus quiet
Related forms
coy·ish, adjective
coy·ish·ness, noun
coy·ly, adverb
coy·ness, noun
o·ver·coy, adjective
EXPANDo·ver·coy·ly, adverb
o·ver·coy·ness, noun
un·coy, adjective
un·coy·ly, adverb
un·coy·ness, noun
COLLAPSESynonyms
2. retiring, diffident, bashful, demure.
2. retiring, diffident, bashful, demure.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To COY
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
coy
early 14c., from O.Fr. coi, earlier quei "quiet, still," ultimately from L. quietus "resting, at rest" (see quiet). Meaning "shy" emerged 14c. Meaning "unwilling to commit" is 1961.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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