billycock
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of billycock
1715–25; alteration of bullycocked ( hat ); see bully 1, cock 2 ( def. ), -ed 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He smoothed his ruffled hair and placed his black billycock upon it.
From The Promise of Air by Algernon Blackwood
The expression on poor Mrs Butt’s face now alarmed Charlie, who instantly doffed his billycock and resumed his natural voice and manner.
From Charlie to the Rescue by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne
“Meet a young gent in dark-grey soot and brown billycock hat?” panted Jerry.
From The Queen's Scarlet The Adventures and Misadventures of Sir Richard Frayne by A. Monro Smith
"Hould up my billycock, boy," said he; and in another moment Willie Quarrie was holding Davy's hat on end to shield from the breeze the burning match which Nelly held inside of it.
From Capt'n Davy's Honeymoon by Sir Hall Caine
Putting on the billycock, and tying the green cotton kerchief loosely round his neck to hide his shirt, he stepped in front of the looking-glass above the mantelpiece.
From Charlie to the Rescue by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
