Definitions for: Coy


[adj] modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures; "like a wild young colt, very inquisitive but very coy and not to be easily cajoled"
[adj] showing marked and often playful or irritating evasiveness or reluctance to make a definite or committing statement; "a politician coy about his intentions"
[adj] affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way



Webster (1913) Definition: Coy (koi), a. [OE. coi quiet, still, OF. coi, coit, fr.L.
quietus quiet, p. p. of quiescere to rest, quie rest; prob.
akin to E. while. See While, and cf. Quiet, Quit,
Quite.]
1. Quiet; still. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

2. Shrinking from approach or familiarity; reserved; bashful;
shy; modest; -- usually applied to women, sometimes with
an implication of coquetry.

Coy, and difficult to win. --Cowper.

Coy and furtive graces. --W. Irving.

Nor the coy maid, half willings to be pressed, Shall
kiss the cup, to pass it to the rest. --Goldsmith.

3. Soft; gentle; hesitating.

Enforced hate, Instead of love's coy touch, shall
rudely tear thee. --Shak.

Syn: Shy; shriking; reserved; modest; bashful; backward;
distant.


Coy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coyed (koid); p. pr. & vb. n.
Coying.]
1. To allure; to entice; to decoy. [Obs.]

A wiser generation, who have the art to coy the
fonder sort into their nets. --Bp. Rainbow.

2. To caress with the hand; to stroke.

Come sit thee down upon this flowery bed, While I
thy amiable cheeks do coy. --Shak.


Coy, v. i.
1. To behave with reserve or coyness; to shrink from approach
or familiarity. [Obs.]

Thus to coy it, With one who knows you too! --Rowe.

2. To make difficulty; to be unwilling. [Obs.]

If he coyed To hear Cominius speak, I 'll keep at
home. --Shak.

Synonyms: demure, indefinite, modest, overmodest, timid

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