noun
vixen
VIK-sun/ˈvɪksn/
A female fox.
The vixen nurses two kits beside the den.
Etymology
The feminine ending makes this literally a female fox. That animal name was later applied figuratively to an ill-tempered woman, giving the word its spiteful human sense.
In context
This little vixen is really ungrateful; I kindly reminded her, and she actually complained that I was in the way.
More examples
- A vixen raises her young near the edge of our farm.
- The wildlife center cares for two injured vixens.
- We watch a vixen hunt mice in the field.
Forms
vixen · vixens
Similar words
- fox
- Names the animal without specifying whether it is female.