Definition

1. Noun:

   • An adult male bird, especially a rooster: A male chicken or, more generally, a male of any bird species.
   • A firing mechanism in a gun: The part of a gunlock that is pulled back and released to fire the weapon.
   • A faucet or tap: A valve or tap for controlling the flow of a liquid.
   • Vulgar slang for the penis: An obscene term for the male genital organ.

2. Verb:

   • To tilt or turn something upward or to one side: To set something at an angle.
   • To set the hammer of a gun in a ready position: To pull back the cock of a firearm so it is ready to fire.
   • To walk in a proud, strutting manner: To walk with a bold, arrogant, or self-important gait.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The farmer heard the cock crow at dawn.
  • He pulled back the cock on the pistol before taking aim.
  • Please turn off the cock to stop the water flow.
  • (Vulgar) He made an offensive joke about his cock.

• Verb:

  • The dog cocked its head, listening to the strange sound.
  • The soldier cocked his rifle carefully.
  • He cocked his hat at a jaunty angle.
  • He cocked down the street as if he owned the place.

Advanced Usage

• "At full cock": (Of a gun) with the hammer fully pulled back and ready to fire; (figuratively) in a state of full readiness.

  • The debate team was at full cock for the final round.

• "Cock of the walk": The most important or dominant person in a group.

  • After winning the championship, he acted like the cock of the walk.

• "That cock won't fight": (Idiomatic) That story, excuse, or plan is not believable or will not work.

  • He tried to blame the weather, but that cock won't fight with the boss.

Variants and Related Words

• Cocky (adj): Overly self-confident or arrogant.

  • His cocky attitude annoyed his teammates.

• Cock-a-hoop (adj): Extremely and obviously pleased, especially about an achievement.

  • She was cock-a-hoop after receiving the promotion.

• Cockscomb (n): The crest or comb of a rooster; a garden plant with red, yellow, or orange flower spikes.

• Haycock (n): A conical pile of hay in a field.

Synonyms

• Rooster (n): An adult male chicken.
• Tap, faucet (n): A device controlling liquid flow.
• Strut (v): To walk in a proud, stiff way.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Cock up (vulgar slang, chiefly British): To make a mess of something; to ruin or botch.
  • He completely cocked up the presentation by forgetting his notes.

Related Idioms

• "Live like a fighting cock": To live very well, in great comfort and luxury.

  • Since his investment paid off, he's been living like a fighting cock.

• "Cock a snook" (British): To show disrespect or defiance, especially by placing one's thumb to one's nose with the fingers spread.

  • The protesters cocked a snook at the new regulations.

Noun

1. adult male bird
2. adult male chicken
3. the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
4. faucet consisting of a rotating device for regulating flow of a liquid
5. obscene terms for penis

Verb

1. to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
   • He struts around like a rooster in a hen house
2. set the trigger of a firearm back for firing
3. tilt or slant to one side
   • cock one's head