Foxish

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Exhibiting traits that suggest slyness or cleverness similar to that of a fox
2. Displaying qualities that remind one of a fox, such as craftiness or cunning
3. Having mannerisms or looks that evoke the clever or wily nature associated with a fox

Etymology: "Foxish" is a plain formation: the noun "fox" with the suffix "-ish," which attaches to nouns to mean "having the qualities of" or "like." The suffix comes from Old English "-isc," a relative of the German "-isch," which is why English has long been happy to pin it onto animal names. "Fox" itself is ancient, descending from Old English "fox," and it was already attached to cunning long before any suffix was needed to describe a fox-like character. The adjective dates to Middle English, the period after the Norman Conquest when English was reshaping its vocabulary, and it has stayed in use ever since as a quick way to say that someone is sly without calling them a fox outright. The suffix also gives the word a looser, slightly softer tone than the noun, suggesting a touch of foxiness rather than a full identity as a fox.

Synonyms: cunning, sly, wily

Antonyms: naive, innocent