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coax - 10 dictionary results

coax

1[kohks]
–verb (used with object)
1. to attempt to influence by gentle persuasion, flattery, etc.; cajole: He coaxed her to sing, but she refused.
2. to obtain by coaxing: We coaxed the secret from him.
3. to manipulate to a desired end by adroit handling or persistent effort: He coaxed the large chair through the door.
4. Obsolete.
a. to fondle.
b. to fool; deceive.
–verb (used without object)
5. to use gentle persuasion.

Origin:
1580–90; v. use of cokes fool (now obs.), perh. var. of coxcomb


coaxer, noun
coax⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

co⋅ax

2[koh-aks, koh-aks]
–noun Electricity.
coaxial cable.

Origin:
1945–50; by shortening

coaxial cable

–noun Electricity.
a cable that consists of an insulated conducting tube through which a central, insulated conductor runs, used for transmitting high-frequency telephone, telegraph, digital, or television signals.
Also called coax.


Origin:
1935–40
coax 1   (kōks)   
v.   coaxed, coax·ing, coax·es

v.   tr.
  1. To persuade or try to persuade by pleading or flattery; cajole.
  2. To obtain by persistent persuasion: coaxed the secret out of the child.
  3. Obsolete To caress; fondle.
  4. To move to or adjust toward a desired end: "A far more promising approach to treating advanced melanoma is to coax the immune system to recognize melanoma cells as deadly" (Natalie Angier).
v.   intr.
To use persuasion or inducement.

[Obsolete cokes, to fool, from cokes, fool.]
coax'er n., coax'ing·ly adv.
co·ax 2   (kō'āks, kō-āks')   
n.   Informal
A coaxial cable.

Coax

Coax\ (?; 110), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coaxed; p. pr. & vb. n. Coaxing.] [Cf. OE. cokes fool, a person easily imposed upon, W. coeg empty, foolish; F. coquin knave, rogue.] To persuade by gentle, insinuating courtesy, flattering, or fondling; to wheedle; to soothe.

Syn: To wheedle; cajole; flatter; persuade; entice.

Coax

Coax\, n. A simpleton; a dupe. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Language Translation for : coax
Spanish: engatusar,
German: beschwatzen,
Japanese: うまく説いて~させる

coax 
1586, originally in slang phrase to make a coax of, from earlier noun coax, cox, cokes "a fool, ninny, simpleton;" modern spelling is 1706. Origin obscure, perhaps related to cock.
coax
coaxial cable
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