Obs. Also vulpone, -ony. [The name of the chief character in B. Jonson’s play Volpone, or the Fox, a. It. volpone, f. volpe fox; the forms in vulp- are after L. vulpis.] A cunning schemer or miser. Also Comb.
1672. G. Thomson, Lett. to H. Stubbe, 25. To observe their Vulpone-like windings, intrigues and nimble diversions.
1685. South, Serm. (1715), I. 408. Come to an old, rich, professing Vulpony, and tell him, that there is a Church to be built [etc.].
1709. Sacheverell, Serm., 5 Nov., 21. In what … lively Colours does the Holy Psalmist paint out the crafty Insiduousness of such wilely Volpones?
1710. Acc. Last Distemper Tom Whigg, I. 4 Certain Beasts of Prey, Vultures and Vulpones.
