Definition

1. Noun:
   • A faucet or valve: A mechanical device, typically featuring a rotating handle or key, used to regulate or stop the flow of a liquid, especially water in a pipe.
   • A person in charge of water supply: An official or worker employed to control the public water supply by operating the valves (water mains) to turn the water on or off for an area or street.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Device):
  • The plumber replaced the old turncock under the sink.
  • To stop the leak, you need to close the turncock in the basement.
• Noun (Person):
  • In the 19th century, the turncock would make his rounds at dawn to turn on the street's water mains.
  • They had to call the turncock to restore water service after the repair.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Role: The term is now largely historical or specialized. The role of the "turncock" has been largely replaced by modern utility workers or automated systems.
  • The position of turncock was essential before the advent of modern, centralized water control systems.

Variants and Related Words

• Stopcock (n): A more common modern synonym for the valve device itself.
  • Turn the stopcock clockwise to shut off the water.
• Waterman (n): A broader, historical term for a worker associated with water supply.
• Valve operator (n): A modern descriptive term for a person who controls valves.

Synonyms

• Faucet (for the device, especially in American English).
• Spigot (for the device).
• Water valve operator (for the person).

Related Phrases

• To turn the cock: An older phrase meaning to operate the valve. This is the origin of the compound noun "turncock".
  • He went to turn the cock and stop the flood.

Notes on Meaning

• The word is a compound noun formed from the verb "to turn" and the noun "cock" (an old term for a faucet or valve). It explicitly refers to the action of turning a valve.
• Its use to describe a person is a good example of a word formed from the tool or action associated with a job (similar to "switchman" or "lineman").

Noun

1. faucet consisting of a rotating device for regulating flow of a liquid
2. one employed to control water supply by turning water mains on and off