coynessn.
a. The quality of being coy; display of shy reserve or unwillingness; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > humility > modesty > shyness or bashfulness > [noun] > coyness
coyness1580
coyishness1591
maidenism1790
1580 J. Lyly Euphues (new ed.) f. 11v The manner of Ladyes to salute Gentlemen with coynesse.
1619 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Maides Trag. ii. sig. D1v This is but the coynesse of a bride.
1637 W. Alexander Doomes-day (new ed.) vi. lxxxvi. 136 in Recreations with Muses I scorne mens coynesse, womens stoutnesse hate.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison III. xxiii. 232 Some of us women act as if we thought coyness and modesty the same thing.
1814 J. West Alicia de Lacy II. 280 Nor did Matilda affect those doubts and coynesses to which her heart was a stranger.
1853 C. Merivale Fall Rom. Republic iii. 71 Rome..was wont to dispense the favour of her franchise with affected coyness.
1883 S. C. Hall Retrospect Long Life II. 313 The cause of her coyness was..obvious—she had on neither shoes nor stockings.
b. Said of animals.
ΚΠ
1575 G. Turberville Bk. Faulconrie 137 You shall hardly reclayme hir [sc. a hawk] from hir coynesse.
1614 S. Latham Falconry i. iii. 10 It may be as yet her coynesse, or her perceiuing of one thing or other may prouoke her to take dislike, or to bate from you.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 167 Then she [a carp] putting on a seeming coyness, they force her through weeds and flags. View more context for this quotation
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
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n.1575