coax
UK[kəʊks]US[koʊks]
v
To persuade someone gently or gradually to do something.
v
To manipulate something carefully into a desired position or state.
Etymology
The word 'coax' has a curious and somewhat playful origin. It emerged in the late 16th century as a slang term, derived from the noun 'cokes', which was a term for a fool or simpleton. The verb 'coax' originally meant 'to make a cokes of' or 'to deceive or fool someone'. Over time, the harshness of this meaning softened considerably. By the mid-17th century, it had evolved to describe the act of persuading someone through gentle, persistent, and often artful flattery or attention, losing its connotation of outright trickery. This etymological journey reflects a shift from manipulation through deception to persuasion through patience and subtle encouragement.
Analysis
The word 'coax' is a simplex word. It is a back-formation from the obsolete noun 'cokes', meaning 'a simpleton' or 'one who is easily deceived'. Its ultimate origin is unknown, but it may be related to the obsolete verb 'cokes', meaning 'to make a fool of'.
Examples
She managed to coax the shy child out from behind the chair.
It took him an hour to coax the old engine into starting.
He tried to coax some information out of the reluctant witness.