coax

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To wheedle or persuade (a person, organisation, animal etc.) gradually or by use of flattery to do something.

   She was so mad she wouldn't speak to me for quite a spell, but at last I coaxed her into going up to Miss Emmeline's room and fetching down a tintype of the missing Deacon man.

2. 2
   verb

   To carefully manipulate (someone or something) into a particular desired state, situation or position.

   They coaxed the rope through the pipe.

3. 3
   noun

   A simpleton; a dupe.

   Go, you're a brainless Coax, a Toy, a Fop, I'll go no farther than your Name, Sir Gregory

4. 4
   noun

   a transmission line for high-frequency signals

5. 5
   verb

   to influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

6. 6
   verb

   To fondle, kid, pet, tease.

7. 7
   noun

   Clipping of coaxial cable.

8. 8
   adj

   Clipping of coaxial.

Etymology

Originally (1586) in the slang phrase to make a coax of, from earlier noun coax, cox, cokes "fool, simpleton", itself of obscure origin, perhaps related to cock (“male bird, pert boy”). The modern spelling is from 1706.