reynard

noun

rey·​nard ˈrā-nərd 

ˈre-,

-ˌnär(d)

often capitalized

: fox

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Renard, name of the fox who is hero of the French beast epic Roman de Renart, from Middle French Renart, Renard

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

reynard

noun

rey·​nard ˈrān-ərd 

ˈren-

often capitalized

: fox entry 1 sense 1a

Etymology

derived from Renart, Renard, the name of a fox who was the hero of an early French epic poem Roman de Renart