COY

coy. Coy, a. reserved, modest; v.i. to behave with reserve

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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. 1. Quiet; still. Chaucer.
2. 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. 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.