coy



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Coy \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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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Coy \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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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Coy \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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