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coy

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The definition of coy is pretending or appearing to be shy or modest in an attempt to be playful or flirtatious, or a reluctance to provide information or make a commitment.

(adjective)

An example of coy is a woman who bats her eyelashes and pretends to be helpless and innocent.
An example of coy is when you are shy about admitting your age.

See coy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

Obsolete quiet; silent
1. shrinking from contact or familiarity with others; bashful; shy
2. primly reserved; demure
affecting innocence or shyness, esp. in a playful or coquettish manner
reticent or evasive, as in making a commitment
Archaic inaccessible; secluded
Obsolete disdainfully aloof

Origin: ME, still, quiet < OFr coi, earlier quei < LL *quetus < L quietus: see quiet

intransitive verb

Archaic to behave in a coy way

transitive verb

Obsolete to pet or caress

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