Cock: meaning, definitions and examples

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cock

[kɒk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

male bird

A mature male bird, especially a domestic chicken or gamecock.

Synonyms

cockerel, rooster.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cock	Common in British English, it refers to an adult male chicken. Be cautious, as it can also have a vulgar meaning related to male anatomy. The cock crowed at dawn / Be wary of using 'cock' in mixed company due to its other meaning

Examples of usage

The cock strutted around the farmyard, showing off his colorful feathers.
The farmer kept several cocks for breeding purposes.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

mechanism

A device for holding together or adjusting the tension of parts of a mechanism.

Synonyms

clamp, fastener.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cock	A second use of 'cock' is to describe the action of preparing a firearm or a crossbow to be fired. This usage is more technical and specific to weaponry. He cocked the rifle and took aim The sound of a cocked gun made everyone nervous
clamp	Use 'clamp' when referring to a device used to hold objects tightly together to prevent movement or separation. It is commonly used in construction, woodworking, and mechanical contexts. He used a clamp to hold the pieces of wood together while the glue dried The mechanic tightened the clamp to secure the hose
fastener	The term 'fastener' is a general word used for any hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. It is a broad term encompassing screws, bolts, nails, and other similar items. We need to buy more fasteners for the construction project The fasteners on the shelves were loose and needed tightening

Word

Description / Examples

cock

A second use of 'cock' is to describe the action of preparing a firearm or a crossbow to be fired. This usage is more technical and specific to weaponry.

He cocked the rifle and took aim
The sound of a cocked gun made everyone nervous

clamp

Use 'clamp' when referring to a device used to hold objects tightly together to prevent movement or separation. It is commonly used in construction, woodworking, and mechanical contexts.

He used a clamp to hold the pieces of wood together while the glue dried
The mechanic tightened the clamp to secure the hose

fastener

The term 'fastener' is a general word used for any hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. It is a broad term encompassing screws, bolts, nails, and other similar items.

We need to buy more fasteners for the construction project
The fasteners on the shelves were loose and needed tightening

Examples of usage

The carpenter used a cock to secure the pieces of wood in place.
She adjusted the cock to ensure the smooth operation of the machine.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

male human

A male who behaves in an assertive or domineering way, especially toward women.

Synonyms

arrogant person, egotist.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cock	This word is often used in slang to describe a confident and sometimes aggressive person. It can have a positive or neutral connotation in informal settings but can be offensive if used inappropriately. He's got the cockiness of a young athlete ready to prove himself. Don't be such a cock; listen to other people's ideas.
arrogant person	This phrase is used to describe someone who has an exaggerated sense of their own importance or abilities. It is typically negative and used in formal or neutral settings. The new manager is an arrogant person who refuses to listen to anyone else. I don't like working with arrogant people; they make the team environment toxic.
egotist	This word is used to describe someone who is excessively conceited or self-absorbed. It has a negative connotation and is often used in general or informal contexts. He's such an egotist, always talking about his own accomplishments. Dealing with an egotist can be exhausting, as they hardly show interest in others.

Word

Description / Examples

cock

This word is often used in slang to describe a confident and sometimes aggressive person. It can have a positive or neutral connotation in informal settings but can be offensive if used inappropriately.

He's got the cockiness of a young athlete ready to prove himself.
Don't be such a cock; listen to other people's ideas.

arrogant person

This phrase is used to describe someone who has an exaggerated sense of their own importance or abilities. It is typically negative and used in formal or neutral settings.

The new manager is an arrogant person who refuses to listen to anyone else.
I don't like working with arrogant people; they make the team environment toxic.

egotist

This word is used to describe someone who is excessively conceited or self-absorbed. It has a negative connotation and is often used in general or informal contexts.

He's such an egotist, always talking about his own accomplishments.
Dealing with an egotist can be exhausting, as they hardly show interest in others.

Examples of usage

He's such a cock, always trying to control everyone around him.
She refused to date him because of his cocky attitude.

^{Context #4 | Verb}

tilt or turn to one side

To tilt or turn a part of the body or an object to one side.

Synonyms

angle, tilt.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cock	Redundant entry, see entry for 'cock'.
tilt	Commonly used to describe the action of causing something to lean or slant to one side. Usually neutral and applicable in everyday situations involving changing the orientation of objects. He tilted the chair back and forth while thinking. The picture was slightly tilted, so she adjusted it.
angle	Used to describe the position or direction of an object or viewpoint, often in reference to adjusting or examining it for a specific perspective. She angled the mirror to get a better view of her hair. The photographer angled his camera to capture the sunset perfectly.

Word

Description / Examples

cock

Redundant entry, see entry for 'cock'.

tilt

Commonly used to describe the action of causing something to lean or slant to one side. Usually neutral and applicable in everyday situations involving changing the orientation of objects.

He tilted the chair back and forth while thinking.
The picture was slightly tilted, so she adjusted it.

angle

Used to describe the position or direction of an object or viewpoint, often in reference to adjusting or examining it for a specific perspective.

She angled the mirror to get a better view of her hair.
The photographer angled his camera to capture the sunset perfectly.

Examples of usage

She cocked her head to the side, listening intently.
He cocked the gun before taking aim.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'cock' comes from Old English 'coc', which referred to a male chicken.
In various languages, similar words exist, such as 'coq' in French and 'Gockel' in German, highlighting its long-standing significance in agriculture.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, roosters signify the start of a new day, symbolizing vigilance and renewal.
Some cultures host cockfighting events, where roosters are bred and trained for fighting, leading to debates on animal rights.

Literature

In William Shakespeare's works, the term appears in various forms, reflecting relationships and societal roles.
The phrase 'cock of the walk' has been used in literature to describe someone who is overconfident or boasts about their achievements.

Science

Roosters are known for their vibrant plumage, which is used to attract hens and demonstrate health.
The crowing of a rooster can signal the presence of danger, as they are naturally vigilant birds.

Pop Culture

The rooster character has been featured in various cartoons and movies, often personified as a brave, proud creature.
In music, roosters often symbolize awakening or the call to action, used in many songs across genres.

Translations

Translations of the word "cock" in other languages:

🇵🇹 galo

🇮🇳 मुर्गा

🇩🇪 Hahn

🇮🇩 ayam jantan

🇺🇦 півень

🇵🇱 kogut

🇯🇵 雄鶏 (おんどり)

🇫🇷 coq

🇪🇸 gallo

🇹🇷 horoz

🇰🇷 수탉 (sutalk)

🇸🇦 ديك

🇨🇿 kohout

🇸🇰 kohút

🇨🇳 公鸡 (gōngjī)

🇸🇮 petelin

🇮🇸 hani

🇰🇿 әтеш

🇬🇪 მამალი

🇦🇿 xoruz

🇲🇽 gallo

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,093 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
7090 pioneer
7091 ghost
7092 punish
7093 cock
7094 crest
7095 bolt
7096 latent
...