I. ˈkȯi adjective
Etymology: Middle English, quiet, shy, from Anglo-French quoi, quei, koi quiet, from Latin quietus
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : shrinking from contact or familiarity
'tis but a kiss I beg, Why art thou coy ? — Shakespeare
b. : marked by cute, coquettish, or artful playfulness
using coy tricks to attract attention
2. : showing reluctance to make a definite commitment
a coy response
Synonyms: see shy
• coy·ly adverb
• coy·ness noun
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
obsolete : caress
intransitive verb
archaic : to act coyly