cock-tailed
Definition
Adjective:
- Having the tail cut short: "cock-tailed" describes an animal, especially a horse, whose tail has been docked or cut short, typically for practical or aesthetic reasons.
Usage Examples
- (The horse with its tail cut short was readied for the event.)
- (A short tail was a desired trait.)
Advanced Usage
- "cock-tailed horse": a specific term in equestrian contexts for a horse with a docked tail.
- The cock-tailed horse was easier to harness without a long tail getting tangled. (The short tail made handling simpler.)
Variants and Related Words
- Cocktail (n): a mixed alcoholic drink (unrelated in meaning, but shares the "cock" root).
- Dock (v): to cut short an animal's tail; a synonym for the action.
- The vet docked the puppy's tail for breed standards. (The tail was cut short.)
Synonyms
- Docked: having the tail cut short.
- Bobtailed: having a short or shortened tail.
- Curtailed: shortened or reduced.
Related Idioms
- "Cock of the walk": a dominant or arrogant person (unrelated to tail cutting, but uses "cock").
- He strutted around like the cock of the walk. (He acted very confidently.)
Note: "Cock-tailed" is a relatively rare or historical term; it is not commonly used in modern everyday English outside of specific equestrian or historical contexts.