minx

minx
minx (n.) 1540s, mynx "pet dog," later "a young, pert, wanton girl" [Johnson] (1590s), of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortening of minikin "girl, woman," from M.Du. minnekijn "darling, beloved," from minne "love" (see MINNESINGER (Cf. minnesinger)) + -kijn, diminutive suffix. Klein's sources suggest the word is from Low Ger. minsk "a man," also "an impudent woman," related to Ger. Mensch (see MENSCH (Cf. mensch)), which also has a sense in vulgar use of "wench, hussy, slut."

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Minx — often refers to a flirtatious young woman or: Hillman Minx, a car Miraal Mavalvala the Minx, a clumsy Parsi Minnie the Minx, a comic character Slinkee Minx, an Australian dance act Minx (Toyah album), 1985 Minx (Leatherface album), 1993 Minx… …   Wikipedia

  • MinX — Launched October 8, 2007 Closed November 22, 2007 Owned by CSC Media Group Picture format 16:9, 576i (SDTV) Replaced by NME TV …   Wikipedia

  • Minx — Minx, n. [See {Mink}.] (Zo[ o]l.) The mink; called also {minx otter}. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • minx — minx; minx·ish; phor·minx; …   English syllables

  • Minx — (m[i^][ng]ks), n. [Prob. of Low German origin; cf. LG. minsk wench, jade, hussy, D. mensch; prop. the same word as D. & G. mensch man, human being, OHG. mennisco, AS. mennisc, fr. man. See {Man}.] 1. A pert or a wanton girl. Shak. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Minx — Minx, Säugethier, so v.w. Nörz …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • minx — [mıŋks] n old fashioned [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: Perhaps from Middle Dutch minnekijn much loved person ] an attractive young woman who does not show respect and who is good at getting what she wants in a clever way …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • minx — [ mıŋks ] noun count OLD FASHIONED a young woman who is rude or good at persuading people to do what she wants, especially men …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • minx — ► NOUN humorous or derogatory ▪ an impudent, cunning, or boldly flirtatious girl or young woman. ORIGIN of unknown origin …   English terms dictionary

  • minx — [miŋks] n. [Early ModE < ? LowG minsk, female servant, hussy, person, akin to Ger mensch: see MENSCH] a pert, saucy girl or young woman …   English World dictionary

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