vulpine
/'vʌlpain/
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- resembling or characteristic of a fox
- vulpine cunning