\Coy\ (koi), a. [OE. coi quiet, still, OF. coi, coit, fr.L.
quietus quiet, p. p. of quiescere to rest, quie rest; prob.
akin to E. while. See {While}, and cf. {Quiet}, {Quit},
{Quite}.]
1. Quiet; still. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. Shrinking from approach or familiarity; reserved; bashful;
   shy; modest; -- usually applied to women, sometimes with
   an implication of coquetry.
         Coy, and difficult to win.            --Cowper.
         Coy and furtive graces.               --W. Irving.
         Nor the coy maid, half willings to be pressed, Shall
         kiss the cup, to pass it to the rest. --Goldsmith.
3. Soft; gentle; hesitating.
         Enforced hate, Instead of love's coy touch, shall
         rudely tear thee.                     --Shak.
Syn: Shy; shriking; reserved; modest; bashful; backward;
     distant.

\Coy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Coyed} (koid); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Coying}.]
1. To allure; to entice; to decoy. [Obs.]
         A wiser generation, who have the art to coy the
         fonder sort into their nets.          --Bp. Rainbow.
2. To caress with the hand; to stroke.
         Come sit thee down upon this flowery bed, While I
         thy amiable cheeks do coy.            --Shak.

\Coy\, v. i.
1. To behave with reserve or coyness; to shrink from approach
   or familiarity. [Obs.]
         Thus to coy it, With one who knows you too! --Rowe.
2. To make difficulty; to be unwilling. [Obs.]
         If he coyed To hear Cominius speak, I 'll keep at
         home.                                 --Shak.