Definition

Noun: A small, cone-shaped pile of hay that has been left in the field until it is dry enough to carry to the hayrick.

Usage

A "haycock" is a specific agricultural term. It refers to a small, temporary stack of cut grass (hay) that is shaped like a cone. Farmers create haycocks in the field to allow the hay to dry thoroughly before it is gathered into a larger, more permanent storage structure, such as a hayrick or haystack.

Examples

• The farmer built several haycocks across the meadow to dry the new-cut grass.
• After a week of sunshine, the haycock was ready to be carted to the barn.
• The field was dotted with neat haycocks waiting to be collected.

Advanced Usage

• "To make/cock hay into haycocks": This phrase describes the action of arranging cut hay into these small, conical piles.
  • The workers spent the afternoon cocking the hay into haycocks.

Variants and Related Words

• Hayrick (noun): A larger, often rectangular stack of hay built for storage, typically in a field or yard.
• Haystack (noun): A large pile of hay, often shaped like a cone or a rounded mound, stored outdoors.
• Haymaking (noun): The process of cutting, drying, and gathering grass for hay.

Synonyms

• Haypile: A general term for a pile of hay.
• Haymow: A mass of hay stored in a barn (though this typically refers to hay already in storage, not in the field).

Notes on Meaning

The term "haycock" is very specific and is not commonly used in everyday modern English outside of historical or agricultural contexts. It describes a particular stage in the traditional haymaking process.

Noun

1. a small cone-shaped pile of hay that has been left in the field until it is dry enough to carry to the hayrick