fox

¹

[ foks ]

noun

, plural fox·es, (especially collectively) fox.

1. any of several carnivores of the dog family, especially those of the genus Vulpes, smaller than wolves, having a pointed, slightly upturned muzzle, erect ears, and a long, bushy tail.
2. the fur of this animal.
3. a cunning or crafty person.
4. Fox a member of a tribe of North American Algonquian Indians, formerly in Wisconsin, later merged with the Sauk tribe.
5. Fox the Algonquian language of the Fox, Sauk, and Kickapoo Indians.
6. Bible. a scavenger, perhaps the jackal.
7. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter F: replaced by Foxtrot.
8. Slang. an attractive young woman or young man.

verb (used with object)

1. to deceive or trick.
2. to repair or make (a shoe) with leather or other material applied so as to cover or form part of the upper front.
3. Obsolete. to intoxicate or befuddle.

verb (used without object)

1. to act cunningly or craftily.
2. (of book leaves, prints, etc.) to become foxed.

Fox

²

[ foks ]

noun

1. Charles James, 1749–1806, British orator and statesman.
2. George, 1624–91, English religious leader and writer: founder of the Society of Friends.
3. John. John Foxe.
4. John William, Jr., 1863–1919, U.S. novelist.
5. Margaret, 1833–93, and her sister Katherine ( “Kate” ), 1839–92, U.S. spiritualist mediums, born in Canada.
6. Sir William, 1812–93, New Zealand statesman, born in England: prime minister 1856, 1861–62, 1869–72, 1873.

Fox

¹

/ fɒks /

noun

1. FoxFoxes a member of a North American Indian people formerly living west of Lake Michigan along the Fox River
2. the language of this people, belonging to the Algonquian family

fox

²

/ fɒks /

noun

1. any canine mammal of the genus Vulpes and related genera. They are mostly predators that do not hunt in packs and typically have large pointed ears, a pointed muzzle, and a bushy tail vulpine
2. the fur of any of these animals, usually reddish-brown or grey in colour
3. a person who is cunning and sly
4. slang.
   a sexually attractive woman
5. Bible
   1. a jackal
   2. an image of a false prophet
6. nautical small stuff made from yarns twisted together and then tarred

verb

1. tr to perplex or confound

   to fox a person with a problem

2. to cause (paper, wood, etc) to become discoloured with spots, or (of paper, etc) to become discoloured, as through mildew
3. tr to trick; deceive
4. intr to act deceitfully or craftily
5. informal.
   tr to pursue stealthily; tail
6. informal.
   tr to chase and retrieve (a ball)
7. obsolete.
   tr to befuddle with alcoholic drink

Fox

³

/ fɒks /

noun

1. FoxCharles James17491806MBritishPOLITICS: statesmanPOLITICS: orator Charles James . 1749–1806, British Whig statesman and orator. He opposed North over taxation of the American colonies and Pitt over British intervention against the French Revolution. He advocated parliamentary reform and the abolition of the slave trade
2. FoxGeorge16241691MEnglishRELIGION: Quaker religious leader George . 1624–91, English religious leader; founder (1647) of the Society of Friends (Quakers)
3. FoxTerry19581981MCanadianSPORT AND GAMES: athlete Terry , full name Terrance Stanley Fox (1958–81). Canadian athlete: he lost a leg to cancer and subsequently attempted a coast-to-coast run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research
4. FoxVicente1942MMexicanPOLITICS: politician Vicente ( Spanish viˈθɛnte). born 1942, Mexican politician; president of Mexico (2000-06)
5. FoxSir William18121893MNew ZealandEnglishPOLITICS: statesmanPOLITICS: prime minister Sir William . 1812–93, New Zealand statesman, born in England: prime minister of New Zealand (1856; 1861–62; 1869–72; 1873)

Derived Forms

• ˈfoxˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• fox·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fox¹

First recorded before 900; 1960–65 fox fordef 8; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Old Saxon vohs, Middle Low German vos, Old High German fuhs ( German Fuchs ); vixen

Word History and Origins

Origin of fox¹

Old English; related to Old High German fuhs , Old Norse fōa fox, Sanskrit puccha tail; see vixen

Idioms and Phrases

see crazy like a fox .

Example Sentences

The initial source of anger then was the ban on fox hunting.

From BBC

Carl, a kind raccoon who loves to collect things, lives in a fictional world called Fuzzytown with his friends, including twin rabbits, a helpful beaver, a reserved fox and an energetic squirrel.

From Los Angeles Times

Moments later, the smuggler - a tall figure with bright dyed blonde hair - turned away sharply, like a startled fox, and vanished down a narrow path into the woods.

From BBC

It means “fox” in Italian, said Volpe, who has dual citizenship in America and Italy.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a bit like a fox in a chicken house, they just want to kill, kill, kill,” he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• baffle
• bamboozle
• circumvent
• deceive
• outdo
• outfox
• outmaneuver