COY


Meaning of COY in English

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.