cochin-china

A farmer feeds his Cochin-China chickens in the yard.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A breed of domestic fowl: "Cochin-China" refers to a large, heavy breed of chicken with feathered legs and a gentle disposition, originally from the region of Cochinchina (now part of Vietnam). It is primarily raised for exhibition or as a backyard bird.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer raised a flock of Cochin-Chinas for the county fair. (A breed of chicken from the Cochinchina region.)
  • Cochin-Chinas are known for their calm temperament and fluffy plumage. (Describing the characteristics of this fowl breed.)

Advanced Usage

• In historical contexts, "Cochin-China" (without a hyphen) referred to a French colonial territory in southern Vietnam. However, in modern English, the hyphenated form "Cochin-China" is almost exclusively used for the chicken breed.
  • The term Cochin-China was once used to describe a region in Southeast Asia, but today it is best known for the poultry breed. (Clarifying the historical versus modern usage.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cochin (n): a shortened form of "Cochin-China," often used interchangeably for the chicken breed.
  • She prefers raising Cochins because they are docile. (Using the abbreviated term for the same breed.)

Synonyms

• Cochin chicken: a direct synonym using the breed name.
• Cochin fowl: another term for the same bird.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms are associated with "Cochin-China" as it is a specialized term.

Phrasal Verbs

• No phrasal verbs are formed with "Cochin-China" due to its specific noun usage.