What does "reynard" mean?
A fox.
Reynard
/ˈɹɛnə(ɹ)d/ name, noun
name, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A fox.
- Grammar: reynard is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: african hunting dog, artful dodger, brush wolf, cape hunting dog.
- Useful contrasts: fool, honest person, naive person.
- Usage evidence: Reynard, in his thieving rambles, one night the summer before last visited the pleasure-gardens in Cornbury Park, and there he found and carried off a hen pheasant while sitting on her nest. The same evening a barn-door hen, with a nide of pheasants also disappeared.
How to use "reynard"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "reynard" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "reynard" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "reynard" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "reynard" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "reynard" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "african hunting dog" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "reynard", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A fox. dialectal
- 2 a conventional name for a fox used in tales following usage in the old epic ‘Reynard the Fox’ wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A male given name.
- 2 A surname originating as a patronymic.
- 3 A name in European folklore for the red fox. literary, poetic
"Reynard, in his thieving rambles, one night the summer before last visited the pleasure-gardens in Cornbury Park, and there he found and carried off a hen pheasant while sitting on her nest. The same evening a barn-door hen, with a nide of pheasants also disappeared."
- 4 A locality in the Shire of Wellington and the Shire of Mansfield, south eastern Victoria, Australia.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Reynard, in his thieving rambles, one night the summer before last visited the pleasure-gardens in Cornbury Park, and there he found and carried off a hen pheasant while sitting on her nest. The same evening a barn-door hen, with a nide of pheasants also disappeared."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "reynard"?
Common synonyms include: african hunting dog, artful dodger, brush wolf, cape hunting dog, charmer, coyote.
How do you use "reynard" in a sentence?
Reynard, in his thieving rambles, one night the summer before last visited the pleasure-gardens in Cornbury Park, and there he found and carried off a hen pheasant while sitting on her nest. The same evening a barn-door hen, with a nide of pheasants also disappeared.
How do you pronounce "reynard"?
Pronounced /ˈɹɛnə(ɹ)d/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Old French Renart (Modern renard (“fox”)), influenced by Middle Dutch Reynaerd, both ultimately from Proto-Germanic *Raginaharduz, from *raginą (“decision, advice, counsel”) + *harduz (“hard, strong”). Compare German Reinhard, Old High German Reginhart (“strong in counsel”).
Etymology 2
From French renard.