fawn1

[fawn] /fɔn/
noun
1.
a young deer, especially an unweaned one.
2.
a light yellowish-brown color.
adjective
3.
light yellowish-brown.
verb (used without object)
4.
(of a doe) to bring forth young.
Origin
1225-75; Middle English fawn, foun < Middle French faon, foun, feon ≪ Vulgar Latin *fētōn-, stem of *fētō offspring, derivative of Latin fētus fetus
Related forms
fawnlike, adjective

fawn2

[fawn] /fɔn/
verb (used without object)
1.
to seek notice or favor by servile demeanor:
The courtiers fawned over the king.
2.
(of a dog) to behave affectionately.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English fawnen, Old English fagnian, variant of fægnian to rejoice, make glad, derivative of fægen happy; see fain
Related forms
fawner, noun
fawningly, adverb
fawningness, noun
Synonyms
1. toady, truckle, flatter, kowtow.
Examples from the web for fawn
  • It is normal and typical for a deer fawn to be left alone hiding in a bed.
  • fawn recruitment estimates can be used as an index of deer population's nutritional status.
  • Western culture seems to fawn over attention-seeking extroverts while introverts have been overlooked.
  • Western culture seems to fawn over attention-seeking extroverts while introverts are overlooked.
  • Then she put on her golden-brown, fur-collared ski jacket, over a white turtleneck sweater and tailored fawn slacks.
  • If the fawn attempts to follow you, gently push on its shoulders until it lies down and then slowly walk away.
  • If a fawn has been touched by humans, the doe will continue to care for it.
  • Although you could nickname this little fellow buckaroo, this is actually a picture of a fawn.
  • fawn strongly supports making government more accountable and efficient through independent performance audits.
  • If you observe a fawn by itself, it has probably not been abandoned.
British Dictionary definitions for fawn

fawn1

/fɔːn/
noun
1.
a young deer of either sex aged under one year
2.
  1. a light greyish-brown colour
  2. (as adjective): a fawn raincoat
3.
in fawn, (of deer) pregnant
verb
4.
(of deer) to bear (young)
Derived Forms
fawnlike, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Old French faon, from Latin fētus offspring; see fetus

fawn2

/fɔːn/
verb (intransitive; often foll by on or upon)
1.
to seek attention and admiration (from) by cringing and flattering
2.
(of animals, esp dogs) to try to please by a show of extreme friendliness and fondness (towards)
Derived Forms
fawner, noun
fawning, adjective
fawningly, adverb
fawningness, noun
Word Origin
Old English fægnian to be glad, from fægen glad; see fain
Word Origin and History for fawn
n.

"young deer," mid-14c., from Anglo-French (late 13c.), Old French faon, feon "young animal" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *fetonem (nominative *feto), from Latin fetus "an offspring" (see fetus). Still used of the young of any animal in King James I's private translation of the Psalms, but mainly of deer from 15c. Color use is 1881.

v.

Old English fægnian "rejoice, be glad, exult," from fægen "glad" (see fain); used in Middle English to refer to expressions of delight, especially a dog wagging its tail (early 13c.), hence "court favor, grovel, act slavishly" (early 14c.). Related: Fawned; fawning.