coyish

English

Etymology

From coy +‎ -ish.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkɔɪ.ɪʃ/
• Hyphenation: coy‧ish

Adjective

coyish (comparative more coyish, superlative most coyish)

1. Somewhat coy.
   • 1602, William Warner, “The Eight Booke. Chapter XLII.”, in Albions England. A Continued Historie of the Same Kingdome, from the Originals of the First Inhabitants thereof: […], 5th edition, London: […] Edm[und] Bollifant for George Potter, […], →OCLC, page 202:

     He tooke her in his armes, as yet ſo coyiſh to be kiſt / As Mayds that knovv themſelues belou'd and yeeldingly reſiſt.

Derived terms

• coyishly
• coyishness

 

Further reading

• “coyish”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.