foxe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely low (Obsolete/Rare)Historical, Literary, Archival
Quick answer
What does “foxe” mean?
A historical or obsolete spelling of the noun 'fox', referring to the carnivorous mammal (Vulpes vulpes) known for its cunning and bushy tail.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical or obsolete spelling of the noun 'fox', referring to the carnivorous mammal (Vulpes vulpes) known for its cunning and bushy tail.
Primarily encountered as a variant spelling in Early Modern English texts (circa 15th-17th centuries) or as a proper name. Does not have independent modern meanings from the standard 'fox'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No modern usage difference. Both regions use the standard spelling 'fox'. 'Foxe' is an archaic form found in historical texts from both sides of the Atlantic, but more commonly in older British texts.
Connotations
Evokes antiquity, historical documents, or genealogy (as in the surname Foxe).
Frequency
Effectively zero in contemporary usage except in specific contexts like referencing John Foxe's 'Book of Martyrs' (Acts and Monuments).
Grammar
How to Use “foxe” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] (John Foxe)[Adj] + foxe (historical text)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foxe” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He did foxe them with his guile. (archaic)
American English
- They were foxed by the trick. (standard 'foxed')
adjective
British English
- A foxe-cunning stratagem. (archaic)
American English
- She gave a fox-like smile. (standard 'fox-like')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or religious studies when citing original texts (e.g., Foxe's Book of Martyrs).
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
May appear in digitised archives or genealogical records.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foxe”
- Using 'foxe' in modern writing instead of 'fox'.
- Mispronouncing it differently from 'fox'.
- Assuming it's a plural or a different word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the correct modern spelling is 'fox'. 'Foxe' is an obsolete variant.
It is pronounced identically to the modern word 'fox' (/fɒks/ in British English, /fɑːks/ in American English).
It is a relic of Middle and Early Modern English spelling, where a final 'e' was often added but not pronounced, indicating a long vowel in the preceding letter (which later shortened).
Only if you are directly quoting a historical source that uses that spelling, or referring to the proper name (e.g., John Foxe). Otherwise, use the standard 'fox'.
A historical or obsolete spelling of the noun 'fox', referring to the carnivorous mammal (Vulpes vulpes) known for its cunning and bushy tail.
Foxe is usually historical, literary, archival in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As cunning as an old foxe (archaic phrasing)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Foxe' has an 'e' for 'earlier English'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CUNNING IS BEING FOX-LIKE (inherited from 'fox').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the spelling 'foxe' today?