The Collaborative International Dictionary
Cock \Cock\ (k[o^]k), n. [AS. coc; of unknown origin, perh. in imitation of the cry of the cock. Cf. Chicken.]
The male of birds, particularly of gallinaceous or domestic fowls.
-
A vane in the shape of a cock; a weathercock.
Drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks!
--Shak. -
A chief man; a leader or master. [Humorous]
Sir Andrew is the cock of the club, since he left us.
--Addison. -
The crow of a cock, esp. the first crow in the morning; cockcrow. [Obs.]
He begins at curfew, and walks till the first cock.
--Shak. -
A faucet or valve.
Note: Jonsons says, ``The handle probably had a cock on the top; things that were contrived to turn seem anciently to have had that form, whatever was the reason.'' Skinner says, because it used to be constructed in forma crit[ae] galli, i.e., in the form of a cock's comb.
The style of gnomon of a dial.
--Chambers.The indicator of a balance.
--Johnson.The bridge piece which affords a bearing for the pivot of a balance in a clock or watch.
--Knight.-
a penis. [vulgar]
Ball cock. See under Ball.
Chaparral cock. See under Chaparral.
Cock and bull story, an extravagant, boastful story; a canard.
Cock of the plains (Zo["o]l.) See Sage cock.
Cock of the rock (Zo["o]l.), a South American bird ( Rupicola aurantia) having a beautiful crest.
Cock of the walk, a chief or master; the hero of the hour; one who has overcrowed, or got the better of, rivals or competitors.
Cock of the woods. See Capercailzie.
Usage examples of "an extravagant".
You have your career before you: I wish you very well, and in proof of this can only advise you not to saddle yourself with an extravagant and shatterbrained little puss for a wife!
Without indulging an extravagant ambition, the son-in-law of Marcian might hope to be his successor.
In other words, he was proud that he had induced him to sacrifice his duty, and buy a bauble for himself, at an extravagant price, out of the public money.
She herself would never have made such an extravagant presentation of an untried device, but the scientist did not show even a glimmer of doubt.
He noticed an extravagant local merchant whose billowing, colorful clothes and gaudy ornamentation pegged him as a wealthy man.
In that time, an extravagant cruelty ruled the urviles, and all the Land feared them.
Previously, his wealth had allowed him to indulge himself in an extravagant wardrobe and exquisite possessions.
Ladies and gentlemen, I shall make an extravagant gesture, perhaps my last for some time.