From Middle English fox, from Old English fox (“fox”), from Proto-West Germanic *fuhs, from Proto-Germanic *fuhsaz (“fox”), from Proto-Indo-European *púḱsos (“the tailed one”), possibly from *puḱ- (“tail”). Cognate with Scots fox (“fox”), North Frisian foos, fos (“fox”), Saterland Frisian Foaks (“fox”), West Frisian foks (“fox”), Dutch vos (“fox”), Low German vos (“fox”), German Fuchs (“fox”), Icelandic fóa (“fox”), Tocharian B päkā (“tail, chowrie”), Russian пух (pux, “down, fluff”), Sanskrit पुच्छ (púccha) (whence Torwali پوش (pūš, “fox”), Hindi पूंछ (pūñch, “tail”)). Philosophical sense from the 1953 essay The Hedgehog and the Fox by Isaiah Berlin. Military aviation sense from the pre-NATO military spelling alphabet where Fox represented F and was short for 'to fire'.
A group of foxes is called a skulk.2019 June 6, “A gaggle, a confusion and a conspiracy - bizarre animal collective group names”, in BBC:
› A small-to-medium-sized canine mammal… › Any member of the genus Vulpes; a true fox.
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In particular The red fox, a small carnivore (Vulpes vulpes) with red or silver fur.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The fox went out on a chase one night, / he prayed to the Moon to give him light, / for he had many a mile to go that night / before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o. / He had many a mile to go that night / before he reached the town-o.15ᵗʰ century, The Fox, verse 1
2 more examples
They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was that he did not come by his death fairly. Otherwise his pelt would not have been so perfect. And why else was he put away up there out of sight?—and so magnificent a brush as he had too.1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], “The First Gun”, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC, page 1:
It was earliest morning, when even small trees cast long shadows and scarlet foxes trot denward through the dew like flecks of fire.1987, Gene Wolfe, chapter XXVIII, in The Urth of the New Sun, 1st US edition, New York: Tor Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 164:
› A small-to-medium-sized canine mammal…
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Other canines that resemble true foxes, of the genera Cerdocyon, Lycalopex, Otocyon, and Urocyon.
Their screeches heralded excited talk from the hurrying troops, for flying fox is a delicacy. The densely-foliaged trees hedged a sombre pool, deep and quiet. As the slain foxes dropped into the water the snouts of river crocodiles popped up and devoured them.1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 154:
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The gemmeous dragonet, a fish, Callionymus lyra, so called from its yellow color.
As for thee, false friend, subtle fox, unfaithful servant, this long time am I grown weary of thee slinking up and down my palace devising darkly things I know not: thou, that art nought akin to Witchland, but an outlander, a Goblin exile, a serpent warmed in my bosom to my hurt.1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 24:
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Figuratively, Slang A physically attractive person, typically a woman.
And Jerry was cute, you know, I liked him, but Frank was a total fox. And he was rougher than Jerry, you know, not so cultured.1993, Laura Antoniou, The Marketplace, page 90:
It wasn't just that Jayne was a fox – although, fuck, was she ever a fox. That arse, those tits, those lips. They could have a really good time together.2012, Adele Parks, Still Thinking of You:
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Figuratively, Slang A person with reddish brown hair, typically a woman.
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Nautical, Transport A small strand of rope made by twisting several rope-yarns together. Used for seizings, mats, sennits, and gaskets.
Obsolete A sword; so called from the stamp of a fox on the blade, or perhaps of a wolf taken for a fox.
Thou diest on point of fox.1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv]:
Got a lock! Fox, Fox!2007 September 25, Bungie, Halo 3, Microsoft Game Studios, Xbox 360, level/area: The Ark:
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Human sciences, Philosophy, Sciences Someone who fuses many different influences and concepts in their philosophy or worldview.
Austin was patiently and painstakingly concerned with truth within limitations. He was a hedgehog, not a fox.1970, The Month:
Dewey was a hedgehog rather than a fox; he spent his life trying to articulate and restate a single vision, and in the writings of his third decade he already exhibits the tension I have claimed to find in the later writings.1992, J. E. Tiles, Jim E. Tiles, John Dewey, Psychology Press, →ISBN, page 220:
From Middle English fox, from Old English fox (“fox”), from Proto-West Germanic *fuhs, from Proto-Germanic *fuhsaz (“fox”), from Proto-Indo-European *púḱsos (“the tailed one”), possibly from *puḱ- (“tail”). Cognate with Scots fox (“fox”), North Frisian foos, fos (“fox”), Saterland Frisian Foaks (“fox”), West Frisian foks (“fox”), Dutch vos (“fox”), Low German vos (“fox”), German Fuchs (“fox”), Icelandic fóa (“fox”), Tocharian B päkā (“tail, chowrie”), Russian пух (pux, “down, fluff”), Sanskrit पुच्छ (púccha) (whence Torwali پوش (pūš, “fox”), Hindi पूंछ (pūñch, “tail”)). Philosophical sense from the 1953 essay The Hedgehog and the Fox by Isaiah Berlin. Military aviation sense from the pre-NATO military spelling alphabet where Fox represented F and was short for 'to fire'.
To trick, fool or outwit (someone) by cunning or ingenuity.
I see a number of gallants every where, whoſe incomes come in yearely by ſet numbers, but runne out daily, ſans number. […] And when I ſee them often foxed, me thinke the Proverbe ſutes thoſe ſutes, what is the fox but his caſe? I ſhould thinke them to be Eutrapelus his enemies, whom he cloathed richly to make them ſpend freely, and grow deboſhed.1680, Arthur Warwick, Spare-Minutes, or Resolved Meditations and Remediated Resolutions:
Have you any news of Miriam? As I have had no reply to my delicately worded epistle, I can only presume that you foxed me with the wrong address, and that you are yourself already engaged to be married to her.Quoted in 2000, John Lewes, Jock Lewes: Co-founder of the SAS (page 132)
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To discolour paper. Fox marks are spots on paper caused by humidity. (See foxing.)
The pages of the book show distinct foxing.
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To make sour, as beer, by causing it to ferment.
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To turn sour; said of beer, etc., when it sours in fermenting.
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To intoxicate; to stupefy with drink.
I drank […] so much wine that I was almost foxed.1661 October 8 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Samuel Pepys, Mynors Bright, transcriber, “September 29th, 1661”, in Henry B[enjamin] Wheatley, editor, The Diary of Samuel Pepys […], volume II, London: George Bell & Sons […]; Cambridge: Deighton Bell & Co., published 1893, →OCLC:
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To repair (boots) with new front upper leather, or to piece the upper fronts of.
Etymology * (surname): From fox (“a vulpine animal”)
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A radiotelephony clear-code word for the letter F.
World War II era; joint US/RAF; World War II era; joint US/RAF
Fox
noun
Etymology * (surname): From fox (“a vulpine animal”)
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Ball games, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Soccer, Sports Someone connected with Leicester City Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.
The Foxes played with plenty of initiative in the original tie at the Walkers Stadium and they started this tie in impressively positive fashion, producing the game's first two chances: Andy King's goal-bound half-volley from Steve Howard's header down was tipped over by Joe Hart and Sol Bamba headed the resultant corner wide.2011 January 18, Phil Dawkes, “Man City 4 - 2 Leicester”, in BBC:
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Abbreviation, Dated, Ellipsis Ellipsis of Fox Indian (“a member of the Outagamie or Meskwaki, a Native American people”).