vulpine

[ vuhl-pahyn, -pin ]

adjective

1. of or resembling a fox.
2. cunning or crafty.

vulpine

/ ˈvʌlpaɪn /

adjective

1. Alsovulpecularvʌlˈpɛkjʊlə of, relating to, or resembling a fox
2. possessing the characteristics often attributed to foxes; crafty, clever, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulpine¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin vulpīnus, equivalent to vulp(ēs) “fox” + -īnus adjective suffix; -ine ¹; from the same root as Greek alṓpēx and alōpós “fox”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulpine¹

C17: from Latin vulpīnus foxlike, from vulpēs a fox

Example Sentences

I remember that as we said good-bye, there was that in her smile that recalled the vulpine complacency of Mona Lisa, the Wise.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, temporarily, his vulpine face showed avaricious hope, and then apprehension.

From Project Gutenberg

No vulpine contraction of the muzzle, such as would have suggested the sleuth and invited suspicion.

From Project Gutenberg

Even Fleetwood's devil, much addicted to cape and sword and ladder, the vulpine and the gryphine, rejected it.

From Project Gutenberg

The vulpine phalanger does duty for a fox; the fat and sleepy little dormouse phalanger takes the place of a European dormouse.

From Project Gutenberg