Coy vs Circumspect - What's the difference?
coy | circumspect | Related terms |
(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.
* Shakespeare
(obsolete) To caress, pet; to coax, entice.
* Shakespeare
(obsolete) To calm or soothe.
To allure; to decoy.
* Bishop Rainbow
Carefully aware of all circumstances; considerate of all that is pertinent.
Coy is a related term of circumspect.
As adjectives the difference between coy and circumspect
is that coy is (dated) bashful, shy, retiring while circumspect is carefully aware of all circumstances; considerate of all that is pertinent.As a verb coy
is (obsolete) to caress, pet; to coax, entice.As a noun coy
is a trap from which waterfowl may be hunted.coy
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) coi, earlier .Adjective
(er)- Enforced hate, / Instead of love's coy touch, shall rudely tear thee.
Derived terms
* coyly * coynessVerb
(en verb)- Come sit thee down upon this flowery bed, / While I thy amiable cheeks do coy .
- A wiser generation, who have the art to coy the fonder sort into their nets.
Etymology 2
Compare decoy.References
* [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=coy&searchmode=none]circumspect
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- Being aware of the danger of upsetting her audience, she was somewhat circumspect in her comments.