coxcomb

American  

[koks-kohm] / ˈkɒksˌkoʊm /

noun

1. a conceited, foolish dandy; pretentious fop.

   Synonyms:

   jackanapes, popinjay, dude

2. Archaic. head; pate.

3. Obsolete. cockscomb.

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coxcomb British  

/ ˈkɒksˌkəʊm /

noun

1. a variant spelling of cockscomb

2. archaic a foppish man

3. obsolete the cap, resembling a cock's comb, worn by a jester

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Other Word Forms

• coxcombic
  adjective
• coxcombical
  adjective
• coxcombically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of coxcomb

First recorded in 1565–75; spelling variant of cockscomb

Example Sentences

I heard his suit the Coxcomb ply; I heard her answer—"No;" A true love knot he ne'er could tie, Who could not bend a bow.

From Notes and Queries, Number 184, May 7, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George

Blount: Come along, Sir Coxcomb, your gay mantle will need the brush today, I wot.

From History Plays for the Grammar Grades by Lyng, Mary Ella

Must a heedless sawcy Coxcomb frown, or tread upon a Gentleman's Toes with Impunity?

From The Theater (1720) by Falstaffe, John, Sir

Therefore early Quit them fairly, If you’d be rid of Woe, Prithee, Prithee, Coxcomb, do.

From The Merry-Thought: or the Glass-Window and Bog-House Miscellany Parts 2, 3 and 4 by Novak, Maximillian E.

There were points in common between the "Coxcomb Czar" and his satirist; and it is far from certain that if the twain had changed places Byron might not have proved just "such an Alexander."

From The Works of Lord Byron. Vol. 5 Poetry by Coleridge, Ernest Hartley