cock

noun (1)

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\ ˈkäk

Definition of cock

(Entry 1 of 5)

1a : 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

3a : a chief person : leader

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

4a : 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.

cock

verb (1)

cocked; cocking; cocks

Definition of cock (Entry 2 of 5)

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 hammer entry 1 sense 2b(2)) of a firearm for firing

transitive verb

1a : 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 trip entry 1 sense transitive 3)

2a : 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

cock

noun (2)

Definition of cock (Entry 3 of 5)

: tilt, slant cock of the head the jaunty cock of his hat

cock

noun (3)

Definition of cock (Entry 4 of 5)

: a small pile (as of hay)

cock

verb (2)

cocked; cocking; cocks

Definition of cock (Entry 5 of 5)

transitive verb

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

Synonyms Phrases Containing cock Learn More About cock

Synonyms for cock

Synonyms: Noun (1)

Synonyms: Verb (1)

Synonyms: Noun (2)

Synonyms: Noun (3)

First Known Use of cock

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1542, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1717, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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Dictionary Entries Near cock

cocinero

cock

cock's egg

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Cite this Entry

“Cock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cock. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for cock

cock

noun

\ ˈkäk

Kids Definition of cock

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a male bird : rooster

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

cock

verb

cocked; cocking

Kids Definition of cock (Entry 2 of 3)

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

Kids Definition of cock (Entry 3 of 3)

: the act of tipping or turning at an angle : tilt a cock of the head

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cock

Definition of cock

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History and Etymology for cock

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nonpareil

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cock

Definition of cock

Synonyms for cock

Phrases Containing cock

First Known Use of cock

History and Etymology for cock

Learn More About cock

The first known use of cock was before the 12th century

'Muskrat,' 'Helpmate,' and 6 More Folk Etymologies

Dictionary Entries Near cock

Statistics for cock

Kids Definition of cock

WORD OF THE DAY

nonpareil

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