noun pl. foxes fox′es or fox

1. any of various small, wild canines (esp. genera Vulpes or Urocyon) with bushy tails and, commonly, reddish-brown or gray fur: the fox is conventionally thought of as sly and crafty
2. the fur of a fox
3. a sly, crafty, deceitful person

4. Etymology: concept from “The Fox and the Hedgehog,” essay by Sir Isaiah Berlin (1907–97), Brit philosopher & historian, born in Russia

   a person regarded as being of a type characterized by wide-ranging knowledge and by adherence to no particular viewpoint or philosophy
5. ☆ Slang a person, esp. a woman, who is attractive, esp. sexually attractive

Etymology: ME < OE, akin to Ger fuchs < Gmc base *fuh- < IE base *pu-, thick-haired, bushy > Sans púccha, tail

transitive verb

1. to make (beer, etc.) sour by fermenting

2. Etymology: from the color of a fox

   to cause (book leaves, prints, etc.) to become stained with reddish-brown or yellowish discolorations
3. to trick or deceive by slyness or craftiness
4. to bewilder or baffle
5. 1. to repair (boots, shoes, etc.) with new upper leather
   2. to trim (the upper of a shoe) with leather
6. Obsolete to intoxicate

intransitive verb

1. to become sour: said of beer, etc.
2. to become stained: said of book leaves, etc.