coy

English

/kɔɪ/

adj
Definitions
  • (dated) Bashful, shy, retiring.
  • (archaic) Quiet, reserved, modest.
  • Reluctant to give details about something sensitive; notably prudish.
  • Pretending shyness or modesty, especially in an insincere or flirtatious way.
  • Soft, gentle, hesitating.

Etymology

Root from Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- (rest).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*kʷyeh₁-

Gloss

rest

Concept
Semantic Field

The body

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms