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Sedate vs Coy - What's the difference?

sedate | coy |

As adjectives the difference between sedate and coy

is that sedate is in a composed and temperate state while coy is (dated) bashful, shy, retiring.

As verbs the difference between sedate and coy

is that sedate is to tranquilize by giving a sedative; to calm; to soothe; to induce sleep while coy is (obsolete) to caress, pet; to coax, entice.

As a noun coy is

a trap from which waterfowl may be hunted.

sedate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • in a composed and temperate state.

    • Verb

    (sedat)
  • to tranquilize by giving a sedative; to calm; to soothe; to induce sleep.

    • External links

    * * *

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    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]