Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Coy
Coy
(koi)
, Adj.
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
Shall kiss the cup, to pass it to the rest.
coy
maid, half willings to be pressed,Shall kiss the cup, to pass it to the rest.
Goldsmith.
3.
Soft; gentle; hesitating.
Syn. – Shy; shriking; reserved; modest; bashful; backward; distant.
Coy
,Verb.
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
While I thy amiable cheeks do
coy
. Shakespeare
Coy
,Verb.
I.
1.
To behave with reserve or coyness; to shrink from approach or familiarity.
[Obs.]
Thus to
With one who knows you too!
coy
it,With one who knows you too!
Rowe.
2.
To make difficulty; to be unwilling.
[Obs.]
If he
To hear Cominius speak, I ’ll keep at home.
coyed
To hear Cominius speak, I ’ll keep at home.
Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Coy
COY
,Adj.
Like Daphne she, as lovely and as coy.
COY
,Verb.
I.
1.
To behave with reserve; to be silent or distant; to refrain from speech or free intercourse.2.
To make difficulty; to be backward or unwilling; not freely to condescend.3.
To smooth or stroke.