fawn
1[ fawn ]
/ fɔn /
noun
a young deer, especially an unweaned one.
a light yellowish-brown color.
adjective
light yellowish-brown.
verb (used without object)
(of a doe) to bring forth young.
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Nearby words
favrile glass, favus, fawcett, fawkes, fawkes, guy, fawning, fawn lily, fawney, fawny, fax, fax machine
Origin of fawn
11225–75; Middle English fawn, foun < Middle French faon, foun, feon ≪ Vulgar Latin *fētōn-, stem of *fētō offspring, derivative of Latin fētus fetus
Related formsfawn·like, adjective
Can be confusedfaun fawn
Definition for fawning (2 of 2)
fawn
2[ fawn ]
/ fɔn /
verb (used without object)
to seek notice or favor by servile demeanor: The courtiers fawned over the king.
(of a dog) to behave affectionately.
Origin of fawn
2before 1000; Middle English fawnen, Old English fagnian, variant of fægnian to rejoice, make glad, derivative of fægen happy; see fain
Related formsfawn·er, nounfawn·ing·ly, adverbfawn·ing·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for fawning
British Dictionary definitions for fawning (1 of 2)
fawn
1/ (fɔːn) /
noun
a young deer of either sex aged under one year
- a light greyish-brown colour
- (as adjective)a fawn raincoat
in fawn (of deer) pregnant
verb
(of deer) to bear (young)
Derived Formsfawnlike, adjective
Word Origin for fawn
C14: from Old French faon, from Latin fētus offspring; see fetus
British Dictionary definitions for fawning (2 of 2)
fawn
2/ (fɔːn) /
verb (intr; often foll by on or upon)
to seek attention and admiration (from) by cringing and flattering
(of animals, esp dogs) to try to please by a show of extreme friendliness and fondness (towards)
Derived Formsfawner, nounfawning, adjectivefawningly, adverbfawningness, noun
Word Origin for fawn
Old English fægnian to be glad, from fægen glad; see fain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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