Cocked Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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cocked
[kÉkt ]
Definitions
gun mechanism
Cocked refers to the action of pulling back the hammer or the firing mechanism of a firearm in preparation for firing. This term is crucial in the context of firearms, as it indicates that the weapon is ready to shoot. However, it also carries implications of being ready or poised for action in other contexts. The term can also refer to the positioning of one's body or posture in anticipation of a movement or reaction.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He cocked the gun before aiming.
- She cocked her head to one side to listen better.
- The dog cocked its ears at the sound.
slang or casual
Cocked can also describe a state of being bent or tilted, often in a casual or slang context. In this sense, it can refer to things that are askew or out of alignment. This usage might be found in informal conversations, particularly in youth culture or slang. Other connotations can include expressing surprise or curiosity.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- His hat was cocked at an angle.
- She walked in with a cocked posture.
- The figure in the painting had a cocked eyebrow.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- 'Cocked' appears frequently in action movies, often referring to guns or character poses indicating alertness.
- The phrase 'cocked and loaded' is a popular idiom in military and action contexts, suggesting readiness for action.
- In cartoons, characters are often portrayed 'cocking' their heads in curiosity, adding humor and expressiveness.
Psychology
- Tilting or cocking one's head can be a subconscious signal of curiosity or interest in social interactions.
- Body language studies suggest that a cocked head may indicate alignment with someone's perspective during conversations.
- Children often cock their heads when trying to understand something, indicating their cognitive engagement.
Visual Arts
- In portraiture, artists may depict subjects with a 'cocked' head to convey personality or dynamism in their poses.
- Cocked head positions in visual storytelling can symbolize tension or conflict in painting and film techniques.
- Photography often uses the cocked angle for aesthetic effects, adding creativity to compositions.
Origin of 'cocked'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'cock' comes from Old English 'coc', which means 'male bird', and has influenced the term for tilting.
- In various contexts, 'cocked' can refer to a position of readiness, such as in the phrase 'cocked gun', indicating it is ready to fire.
- The term has been used in hunting contexts, where hunters would 'cock' their guns as a sign of being prepared.
The term 'cocked' originates from the word 'cock', which has multiple meanings in English, including the male chicken and the part of a gun that is pulled back before firing. The use of 'cock' in the context of firearms dates back to the early days of gunpowder weaponry, where the 'cock' referred to the hammer mechanism that strikes the firing pin. The word has Middle English roots stemming from the Old French 'coq', which also meant rooster, but in firearms, it became a term describing readiness to fire. Over the years, the language evolved, and 'cocked' became widely used in both formal and informal contexts to denote preparedness in various activities, especially those involving tension or anticipation. In slang, it adopted more varied meanings, often associated with body posture or a unique style of presentation.