v. t.
A wiser generation, who have the art to coy the fonder sort into their nets. Bp. Rainbow. [ 1913 Webster ]
Come sit thee down upon this flowery bed,
While I thy amiable cheeks do coy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. ]
Coy, and difficult to win. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]
Coy and furtive graces. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]
Nor the coy maid, half willings to be pressed,
Shall kiss the cup, to pass it to the rest. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]
Enforced hate,
Instead of love's coy touch, shall rudely tear thee. Shak.
v. i.
Thus to coy it,
With one who knows you too! Rowe. [ 1913 Webster ]
If he coyed
To hear Cominius speak, I 'll keep at home. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. the offspring of a coyote and a dog.
a. Somewhat coy or reserved. Warner. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In a coy manner; with reserve. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality of being coy; feigned o&unr_; bashful unwillingness to become familiar; reserve. [ 1913 Webster ]
When the kind nymph would coyness feign,
And hides but to be found again. Dryden.
n. a tropical American palm (Acrocomia vinifera) having edible nuts and yielding a useful fiber.
n. [ Spanish Amer., fr. Mexican coyotl. ] (Zool.) A carnivorous animal (Canis latrans), allied to the dog, found in the western part of North America; -- called also
. South Dakota; -- a nickname. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]