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Coy vs Soy - What's the difference?

coy | soy |

As nouns the difference between coy and soy

is that coy is a trap from which waterfowl may be hunted while soy is a chinese and japanese liquid sauce for fish, made by subjecting boiled beans to long fermentation and then long digestion in salt and water us preference is the term soy sauce .

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]

    soy

    English

    Alternative forms

    * soya

    Noun

    (-)
  • A Chinese and Japanese liquid sauce for fish, made by subjecting boiled beans to long fermentation and then long digestion in salt and water. US preference is the term soy sauce .
    • I like a little soy with my rice.
  • * 1902 — Annie R. Gregory, Woman's Favorite Cookbook , p381
    • Pour in four tablespoonfuls of sherry and four tablespoonfuls of soy , as much vinegar as the jar will hold, and cover closely until wanted.
  • Soybeans. Often used attributively.
    • These candles are made from soy .
    The soy crop is looking good this year.

    Derived terms

    * soy bean * soy milk * soy sauce