cock

play

noun \ ˈkäk \

Definition of cock

1 a :the adult male of the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) :rooster

b :the male of birds other than the domestic chicken

c :woodcock

d archaic :the crowing of a cock; also :cockcrow

e :weathercock

2 :a device (such as a faucet or valve) for regulating the flow of a liquid

the cock of an automobile radiator

3 a :a chief person :leader

b :a person of spirit and often of a certain swagger or arrogance

4 a :the hammer in the lock of a firearm

b :the cocked position of the hammer

5 usually vulgar :penis

— cock of the walk

:one that dominates a group or situation especially overbearingly

He was strutting around like the cock of the walk after he got a promotion.

Origin and Etymology of cock

Middle English cok, from Old English cocc, of imitative origin

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

cock

verb

Definition of cock

intransitive verb

1 :strut, swagger

did a lot of bragging and cocking after winning the game

2 :to turn, tip, or stick up

a horse's tail cocking almost straight up

3 :to position the hammer (see ¹hammer 2b(2)) of a firearm for firing

transitive verb

1 a :to draw the hammer of (a firearm) back and set for firing; also :to set (the trigger) for firing

b :to draw or bend back in preparation for throwing or hitting

a quarterback cocking his arm

cock a bat

c :to set (a mechanism, such as a camera shutter) for tripping (see ¹trip transitive 3)

2 a :to set erect

a dog with one ear cocked

b :to turn, tip, or tilt usually to one side

cock one's head

3 :to turn up (something, such as a hat brim)

— cock a snook or less commonly cock snooks

:to thumb one's nose

cocking a snook at the establishment

Origin and Etymology of cock

see ¹cock

cock

noun

Definition of cock

:tilt, slant

cock of the head

the jaunty cock of his hat

cock

noun

Definition of cock

:a small pile (as of hay)

Origin and Etymology of cock

Middle English cok; akin to German dialect Kocke pile

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

cock

verb

Definition of cock

transitive verb

:to put (hay or something similar) into small piles

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

COCK Defined for Kids

cock

play

noun \ ˈkäk \

Definition of cock for Students

1 :a male bird :rooster

2 :a faucet or valve for controlling the flow of a liquid or a gas

cock

verb

Definition of cock for Students

cocked; cocking

1 :to turn or tip upward or to one side

The puppy cocked her head when she heard your voice.

2 :to set or draw back in readiness for some action

Watch how I cock my arm to throw.

3 :to draw back the hammer of (a gun) in readiness for firing

cock

noun

Definition of cock for Students

:the act of tipping or turning at an angle :tilt

a cock of the head

Learn More about cock

See words that rhyme with cock Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cock Spanish Central: Translation of cock Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cock

cock

Definition of cock

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Origin and Etymology of cock

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