Vixenly
/ˈvɪk.sən.li/noun
In a manner characteristic of a vixen; sly, sharp, or flirtatiously fierce.
Did you know?Vixen comes from Old English and originally meant simply a female fox, but its later shift toward “shrewd” and “sultry” shows how animal names can become social magic words.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
fyxen
“female fox”
Middle English
ME
vixen
“female fox; later, a sharp-tongued or alluring woman”
16th Century
English
vixenly
“in the manner of a vixen”
Modern English
English
vixenly
“characteristic of a vixen; sly or flirtatiously fierce”