What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Coax vs Coak - What's the difference?

coax | coak |

As verbs the difference between coax and coak

is that coax is (obsolete) to fondle, kid, pet, tease while coak is to unite (timbers etc) by means of tenons or dowels in the edges or face.

As nouns the difference between coax and coak

is that coax is (obsolete) a simpleton; a dupe or coax can be while coak is a wooden dowel.

coax

English

Etymology 1

originally (1586) in the slang phrase to make a coax of , from earlier noun coax, cox, cokes "fool, simpleton", itself of obscure origin, perhaps related to cock (male bird, pert boy). The modern spelling is from 1706.

Verb

  • (obsolete) To fondle, kid, pet, tease.
  • To wheedle, persuade (a person, organisation, animal etc.) gradually or by use of flattery to do something.
  • * , chapter=6
  • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=She was so mad she wouldn't speak to me for quite a spell, but at last I coaxed her into going up to Miss Emmeline's room and fetching down a tintype of the missing Deacon man.}}
  • * 12 July 2012 , Sam Adams, AV Club Ice Age: Continental Drift
  • On paper, Continental Drift boasts a jaw-dropping voice cast, including but not limited to Jennifer Lopez, Patrick Stewart, Wanda Sykes, Aziz Ansari, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Alan Tudyk. But in practice, the overstuffed ensemble leaves the cast no room to distinguish themselves, and directors Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier don’t seem interested in coaxing performances that might render their money stars less identifiable.
  • To carefully manipulate into a particular desired state, situation or position.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author=(Henry Petroski)
  • , title= Geothermal Energy , volume=101, issue=4, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame.}}
    Synonyms
    * (persuade gradually) cajole, persuade, wheedle * (manipulate carefully into position) ease

    Noun

    (es)
  • (obsolete) A simpleton; a dupe.
  • (Beaumont and Fletcher)

    Etymology 2

    Shortened from coaxial

    Noun

    (coaxial cable) (es)
  • References

    * [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=coax&searchmode=none]

    Anagrams

    * English heteronyms ----

    coak

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a wooden dowel
  • (nautical) the brass bearing in the sheave of a block
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To unite (timbers etc.) by means of tenons or dowels in the edges or face.
  • (Totten)