turncock
/'tə:nkɔk/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- faucet consisting of a rotating device for regulating flow of a liquid
- one employed to control water supply by turning water mains on and off