coax
verb
- persuade
noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L318242 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈkəʊæks/ / /koʊæks/ / /kəʊks/ / /koʊks/
adj
Etymology: Shortened from coaxial
- Clipping of coaxial.
noun
Etymology: Shortened from coaxial
- Clipping of coaxial cable.
verb
Etymology: 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.
- To fondle, kid, pet, tease.
- To wheedle or persuade (a person, organisation, animal etc.) gradually or by use of flattery to do something.
“She was so mad she wouldn't speak to me for quite a spell, but at last I coaxed her into going up to Miss Emmeline's room and fetching down a tintype of the missing Deacon man.”
“12 July 2012, Sam Adams, AV Club Ice Age: Continental Drift On paper, Continental Drift boasts a jaw-dropping voice cast, including but not limited to Jennifer Lopez, Patrick Stewart, Wanda Sykes, Aziz Ansari, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Alan Tudyk. But in practice, the overstuffed ensemble leaves the cast no room to distinguish themselves, and directors Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier don’t seem interested in coaxing performances that might render their money stars less identifiable.”
- To carefully manipulate (someone or something) into a particular desired state, situation or position.
“They coaxed the rope through the pipe.”
“I've finally coaxed the sticky drawers open.”