fox

fox [fäks]

n.

pl. foxes or fox [ME < OE, akin to Ger fuchs < Gmc base * fuh- < IE base * puk̑-, thick-haired, bushy > Sans púccha, tail]

1. any of various small, wild canines (esp. genera Vulpes or Urocyon) with bushy tails and, commonly, reddish-brown or gray fur: the fox is conventionally thought of as sly and crafty

2. the fur of a fox

3. a sly, crafty, deceitful person

☆ 4. Slang a person, esp. a woman, who is attractive, esp. sexually attractive

vt.

1. to make (beer, etc.) sour by fermenting

2. [from the color of a fox] to cause (book leaves, prints, etc.) to become stained with reddish-brown or yellowish discolorations

3. to trick or deceive by slyness or craftiness

4. to bewilder or baffle

5.

a) to repair (boots, shoes, etc.) with new upper leather

b) to trim (the upper of a shoe) with leather

6. Obs. to intoxicate

vi.

1. to become sour: said of beer, etc.

2. to become stained: said of book leaves, etc.

foxed

adj.