Coax (; 110), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coaxed; p. pr. & vb. n. Coaxing.]
Etymology: [Cf. OE. cokes fool, a person easily imposed upon, W. coeg empty, foolish; F. coquin knave, rogue.]
To persuade by gentle, insinuating courtesy, flattering, or fondling; to wheedle; to soothe.
Syn. -- To wheedle; cajole; flatter; persuade; entice.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Coax, n.
A simpleton; a dupe. [Obs.] Beau & Fl.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for coax; he lists it under allure, persuade.
Where he writes about it:
Coax expresses the attraction of the person, not of the thing. — from allure
Coax is a slighter word than persuade, seeking the same end by shallower methods, largely by appeal to personal feeling, with or without success; as, a child coaxes a parent to buy him a toy. — from persuade