foxing

[ fok-sing ]

/ ˈfɒk sɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR foxing ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

material used to cover the upper portion of a shoe.

discoloration, as of book leaves or prints.

Nearby words

foxfire, foxglove, foxhole, foxhound, foxie, foxing, foxtail, foxtail millet, foxtail wedge, foxtrot, foxx

Origin of foxing

fox + -ing¹

Definition for foxing (2 of 2)

fox

[ foks ]

/ fɒks /

noun, plural fox·es, (especially collectively) fox.

any of several carnivores of the dog family, especially those of the genus Vulpes, smaller than wolves, having a pointed, slightly upturned muzzle, erect ears, and a long, bushy tail.

the fur of this animal.

a cunning or crafty person.

(initial capital letter) a member of a tribe of North American Algonquian Indians, formerly in Wisconsin, later merged with the Sauk tribe.

(initial capital letter) the Algonquian language of the Fox, Sauk, and Kickapoo Indians.

Bible. a scavenger, perhaps the jackal. Psalms 63:10; Lam. 5:18.

a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter F: replaced by Foxtrot.

Slang. an attractive young woman or young man.

verb (used with object)

to deceive or trick.

to repair or make (a shoe) with leather or other material applied so as to cover or form part of the upper front.

Obsolete. to intoxicate or befuddle.

verb (used without object)

to act cunningly or craftily.

(of book leaves, prints, etc.) to become foxed.

Origin of fox

before 900; 1960–65 for def 9; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Old Saxon vohs, Middle Low German vos, Old High German fuhs (German Fuchs). Cf. vixen

Related forms

fox·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for foxing

To-night it wasn't that feeling that made it difficult for me to go on "foxing."
The Boys and I|Mrs. Molesworth
His strong point was foxing clothes with canvas which he always carried for that purpose.
Thirty Years on the Frontier|Robert McReynolds
On one particular evening, however, when she made her usual survey of the room, seven of the apparent sleepers were foxing.
The Madcap of the School|Angela Brazil
By and by he opened his eyes—for he was only foxing—and saw the Partridge sitting on a branch above him.
The Ontario Readers|Ontario Ministry of Education

It is curious that the expression "foxing" is not so suitable to this animal as to many others.
The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia|Frank Evers Beddard

British Dictionary definitions for foxing (1 of 4)

foxing

/ (ˈfɒksɪŋ) /

noun

a piece of leather used to reinforce or trim part of the upper of a shoe

British Dictionary definitions for foxing (2 of 4)

Fox

/ (fɒks) /

noun

plural Fox or Foxes a member of a North American Indian people formerly living west of Lake Michigan along the Fox River

the language of this people, belonging to the Algonquian family

British Dictionary definitions for foxing (3 of 4)

Fox

/ (fɒks) /

noun

Charles James . 1749–1806, British Whig statesman and orator. He opposed North over taxation of the American colonies and Pitt over British intervention against the French Revolution. He advocated parliamentary reform and the abolition of the slave trade

George . 1624–91, English religious leader; founder (1647) of the Society of Friends (Quakers)

Terry, full name Terrance Stanley Fox (1958–81). Canadian athlete: he lost a leg to cancer and subsequently attempted a coast-to-coast run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research

Vicente (Spanish viˈθɛnte). born 1942, Mexican politician; president of Mexico (2000-06)

Sir William . 1812–93, New Zealand statesman, born in England: prime minister of New Zealand (1856; 1861–62; 1869–72; 1873)

British Dictionary definitions for foxing (4 of 4)

fox

/ (fɒks) /

noun plural foxes or fox

any canine mammal of the genus Vulpes and related genera. They are mostly predators that do not hunt in packs and typically have large pointed ears, a pointed muzzle, and a bushy tailRelated adjective: vulpine

the fur of any of these animals, usually reddish-brown or grey in colour

a person who is cunning and sly

slang, mainly US a sexually attractive woman

Bible

a jackal
an image of a false prophet

nautical small stuff made from yarns twisted together and then tarred

verb

(tr) to perplex or confoundto fox a person with a problem

to cause (paper, wood, etc) to become discoloured with spots, or (of paper, etc) to become discoloured, as through mildew

(tr) to trick; deceive

(intr) to act deceitfully or craftily

(tr) Australian informal to pursue stealthily; tail

(tr) Australian informal to chase and retrieve (a ball)

(tr) obsolete to befuddle with alcoholic drink

Derived Forms

foxlike, adjective

Word Origin for fox

Old English; related to Old High German fuhs, Old Norse fōa fox, Sanskrit puccha tail; see vixen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with foxing

fox

see crazy like a fox.