Definition

Adjective: 1. Resembling or characteristic of a fox: Pertaining to the physical appearance, behavior, or perceived qualities of a fox. 2. Cunning or crafty: Possessing or displaying the clever, sly, or deceitful intelligence often attributed to foxes.

Usage Examples

• The creature had a vulpine face, with a sharp, pointed muzzle and keen, watchful eyes.
• He was known for his vulpine cunning in business negotiations, always finding an angle others missed.
• Her smile was vulpine, suggesting she knew more than she was letting on.

Advanced Usage

• "Vulpine intelligence": A type of cleverness that is sharp, strategic, and often associated with trickery or survival.
  • The spy relied on his vulpine intelligence to navigate the complex web of deception.
• "Vulpine grace": A description of movement that is sleek, quiet, and agile, like a fox.
  • The thief moved with a vulpine grace, slipping through the shadows unnoticed.

Variants and Related Words

• Vulpes (n): The genus name for true foxes in biological taxonomy.
• Vulpinity (n, rare): The quality or state of being foxlike; cunning.

Synonyms

• Foxlike: Having the characteristics of a fox.
• Cunning: Skillful in deception; crafty.
• Sly: Acting with secrecy and cunning.
• Wily: Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.

Antonyms

• Guileless: Devoid of cunning or deceit; innocent.
• Artless: Free from deceit or cunning; natural.
• Obtuse: Slow to understand; dull.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "As vulpine as a fox": An emphatic way to describe someone or something as extremely cunning or foxlike.
  • In his dealings, he was as vulpine as a fox, never missing a trick.

Adjective

1. resembling or characteristic of a fox
   • vulpine cunning