Coax Definition
kōks
coaxed, coaxes, coaxing
verb
coaxed, coaxes, coaxing
To induce or try to induce to do something; (seek to) persuade by soothing words, an ingratiating manner, etc.; wheedle.
Webster's New World
To obtain by persistent persuasion.
Coaxed the secret out of the child.
American Heritage
To get by coaxing.
Webster's New World
To use gentle persuasion, urging, etc.
Webster's New World
To caress; fondle.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
- not care
- allow
noun
coaxes
A coaxial cable.
Webster's New World
adjective
Webster's New World
Origin of Coax
-
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.
From Wiktionary
Obsolete cokes to fool from cokes fool
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
Shortened from coaxial
From Wiktionary
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