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.