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Coy vs Prim - What's the difference?

coy | prim | Related terms |

Coy is a related term of prim.


As nouns the difference between coy and prim

is that coy is a trap from which waterfowl may be hunted while prim is prime (the first note or tone of a musical scale).

As an adjective coy

is (dated) bashful, shy, retiring.

As a verb coy

is (obsolete) to caress, pet; to coax, entice.

coy

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) coi, earlier .

Adjective

(er)
  • (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
    • Enforced hate, / Instead of love's coy touch, shall rudely tear thee.
    Derived terms
    * coyly * coyness

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To caress, pet; to coax, entice.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Come sit thee down upon this flowery bed, / While I thy amiable cheeks do coy .
  • (obsolete) To calm or soothe.
  • To allure; to decoy.
  • * Bishop Rainbow
    • A wiser generation, who have the art to coy the fonder sort into their nets.

    Etymology 2

    Compare decoy.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A trap from which waterfowl may be hunted.

    • References

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

    prim

    English

    Etymology 1

    (etyl) prim, prin, from (etyl) (lena) .

    Adjective

    (primmer)
  • prudish, straight-laced
  • formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice
    • prim''' regularity; a '''prim person
    (Jonathan Swift)
    Usage notes
    Often used in the collocation “prim and proper”.
    Derived terms
    * prim and proper * prissy

    Verb

  • (dated) To make affectedly precise or proper.
  • (dated) To dress or act smartly.

    • Etymology 2

    See privet.

    Noun

  • (botany) privet
    • (Webster 1913) ----