Both Uses of
coax
in
The Mysterious Benedict Society
- If you have mastered the material, then the proper phrase will conjure it — like the magic words that coax a genie from a bottle.†
p. 321.6 *
- Already Mr. Benedict was hard at work modifying his twin's invention with the aim of reversing its brainsweeping function — instead of covering up old memories, it would coax them into the open again — and when pressed, Mr. Benedict admitted he thought it rather likely he would succeed.†
p. 475.0
Definitions:
-
(1)
(coax as in: coax her to join us) try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gentle persuasion
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Less commonly, coax is a short for coaxial cable (a type of electrical cable used to transmit data, the internet, video and voice communications). Coaxial cables have a conducting wire surrounded by an insulating layer surrounded by a shield. The insulating layer and shield surround a common axis--the conducting wire.
In classic literature, you may see coax used as a synonym for caress or fondle.