noun, adj, verb — 11 senses
UK /fɔːn/ · AU, UK, NZ /foːn/
Etymology From Middle English fawne, fowne, foun, from Old French faon, foon, feon, from Vulgar Latin *fētōnem, from Latin fētus (“offspring, young”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁(y)- (“to suckle, nurse”). Displaced native Old English hindċealf (literally “deer calf”). Doublet of fetus.
A young deer.
A pale brown colour tinted with yellow, like that of a fawn.
Obsolete The young of an animal; a whelp.
Etymology From Middle English fawne, fowne, foun, from Old French faon, foon, feon, from Vulgar Latin *fētōnem, from Latin fētus (“offspring, young”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁(y)- (“to suckle, nurse”). Displaced native Old English hindċealf (literally “deer calf”). Doublet of fetus.
Of the fawn colour.
Etymology From Middle English fawne, fowne, foun, from Old French faon, foon, feon, from Vulgar Latin *fētōnem, from Latin fētus (“offspring, young”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁(y)- (“to suckle, nurse”). Displaced native Old English hindċealf (literally “deer calf”). Doublet of fetus.
To give birth to a fawn.
Etymology From Middle English fawnen, from Old English fagnian, alternative form of fæġnian (“to celebrate”), whence Middle English fainen, English fain. Cognate with Old Norse fagna. See also fain.
Of a dog To show devotion or submissiveness by wagging its tail, nuzzling, licking, etc.
Broadly, Figuratively To exhibit affection toward someone.
Broadly, Figuratively To attempt to please someone.
Broadly, Derogatory, Figuratively To seek favour by flattery and obsequious behaviour.
Etymology From Middle English fawnen, from Old English fagnian, alternative form of fæġnian (“to celebrate”), whence Middle English fainen, English fain. Cognate with Old Norse fagna. See also fain.
Rare A servile cringe or bow.
Base flattery.
Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.