Foxly

Part of speech: adjective, adverb

Definitions

1. Moving or behaving in a manner characteristic of a fox, especially with cunning, stealth, or slyness
2. Displaying behavior or qualities that evoke the sly and cunning nature of a fox, often indicating cleverness and agility
3. Exhibiting traits or actions that are reminiscent of a fox's cunning and stealth, often suggesting resourcefulness and cleverness

Etymology: "Foxly" is a plain formation: the noun "fox" with the suffix "-ly," which turns a noun into an adjective or adverb meaning "in the manner of" or "characteristic of" the thing named. Its ancestor was the Middle English "foxlich," an adjective, and a related adverb, "foxliche," existed alongside it, so the word had both forms from the start. Put together, "foxly" means "like a fox" in the sense of crafty or cunning, which is the quality English has long associated with the animal. The "-ly" ending comes from Old English "-lic," the same element found in words like "godly" and "manly." Over time the sound wore down into the modern "-ly," which is why "foxly" looks like a simple addition to "fox" today. The word is therefore older than its modern spelling suggests, and the form has changed far less in meaning than in appearance.