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minx

noun
/mɪŋks/US

Etymology

PIE word *ǵʰmṓ The origin of the noun is uncertain. The following possible derivations have been suggested: * A variation of minikin (“(obsolete) young person, especially a young woman; small or insignificant person, thing, or amount”) + a variation of -s (suffix forming hypocoristic nouns (nicknames)) (compare minckins, a variant of minikin). * From Dutch mens, mensch (“human being, person; (derogatory, informal) woman”) (obsolete), Middle Dutch minsc, minsce, minsch; or from German Low German minsch, minsk, Middle Low German minsche (“hussy, wench”), all ultimately from Proto-Germanic *manniskaz (“human”, adjective), from *mann- (“human being, person; man”) (possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰmṓ (“earthling”), *men- (“to mind; to think; spiritual activity”), or *mon- (“human being; man”)) + *-iskaz (suffix meaning ‘characteristic of, pertaining to’ forming adjectives). The verb is derived from the noun.

  1. derived from *ǵʰmṓ✻ — “earthling”
  2. derived from *manniskaz✻ — “human”
  3. derived from minsche — “hussy, wench”
  4. derived from minsch
  5. derived from minsc
  6. derived from mens

Definitions

  1. A flirtatious, impudent, or pert young woman.

    • How Huſſie! was there ever ſuch a provoking Minx?
    • Miſs Herbert. So good, Mr. gallant, gay Lothario of ſixty-five, a good morning to you. [Exit. Miſs Herbert. / Old Manly. A ſaucy minx.

  2. A promiscuous woman

    A promiscuous woman; also, a mistress (“the other woman in an extramarital relationship”) or a prostitute.

    • [W]hat did you meane by that ſame handkercher, you gaue mee euen now? […] this is ſome minxes token, and I muſt take out the worke; there, giue it the hobby horſe, whereſoeuer you had it, I'le take out no worke on't.
    • If thou be abſent long, thy wife then thinkes, / Th'art drunke, at eaſe, or with ſome pretty minkes, / 'Tis well with thee, or elſe beloued of ſome, / Whil'ſt ſhee poore ſoule doth fare full ill at home.

  3. A pet dog.

  4. ›+ 3 more definitions

    1. Used transitively when followed by it

      Used transitively when followed by it: to behave like a minx, that is, in a flirtatious and impudent manner.

      • [He] knows the dress of every girl he meets— / In fact could cut you out the very plan, / Each article could name, and tell you every shade, / Whether adorning minxing miss or ancient maid!
      • Alison might have, if she hadn't minxed herself out of a job.

    2. To make (someone) like a minx

      To make (someone) like a minx; (intransitive) to become like a minx.

      • Whether you're sipping fine bubbly from a crystal flute while having your nails minxed, or soaking in a heavenly milk bath, a visit to Miss Fox is your ticket to forget your worries and simply indulge.

    3. Obsolete spelling of mink (“any of various semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals in the…

      Obsolete spelling of mink (“any of various semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals in the Mustelinae subfamily”).

      • The Minx […] frequents the water like the Otter, and very much reſembles it in ſhape and color, but is leſs; will abide longer under the water than the muſk quaſh, muſk rat, or little beaver: […]
      • Many of these birds are destroyed by Weasels and Minxes.
      • 2d. Carnivora, or flesh eaters. Of these we have […] the New York ermine, or ermine weasel; the mink, or minx otter; the common otter; […]

The neighborhood

Derived

minxish, minxishly, minxishness, minxlike, minxship, minxy

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for minx. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA