GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   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.
   
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   2. Shrinking from approach or familiarity; reserved; bashful; shy; modest; -- usually applied to women, sometimes with an implication of coquetry.
   
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   Coy, and difficult to win. Cowper.
   
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   Coy and furtive graces. W. Irving.
   
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   Nor the coy maid, half willings to be pressed,
   
   Shall kiss the cup, to pass it to the rest. Goldsmith.
   
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   3. Soft; gentle; hesitating.
   
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   Enforced hate,
   
   Instead of love's coy touch, shall rudely tear thee. Shak.
   
   Syn. -- Shy; shriking; reserved; modest; bashful; backward; distant.
   
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2.       
   Coy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coyed (koid); p. pr. & vb. n. Coying.]
   1. To allure; to entice; to decoy. [Obs.]
   
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   A wiser generation, who have the art to coy the fonder sort into their nets. Bp. Rainbow.
   
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   2. To caress with the hand; to stroke.
   
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   Come sit thee down upon this flowery bed,
   
   While I thy amiable cheeks do coy. Shak.
   
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3.       
   Coy, v. i.
   1. To behave with reserve or coyness; to shrink from approach or familiarity. [Obs.]
   
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   Thus to coy it,
   
   With one who knows you too! Rowe.
   
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   2. To make difficulty; to be unwilling. [Obs.]
   
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   If he coyed
   
   To hear Cominius speak, I 'll keep at home. Shak.
   
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