cockcrow

American  

[kok-kroh] / ˈkɒkˌkroʊ /

Also cock crowing

noun

1. the time at which a cock characteristically crows; daybreak; dawn.

   He was in the kitchen each morning by cockcrow, making coffee and preparing breakfast.

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cockcrow British  

/ ˈkɒkˌkrəʊ /

noun

1. daybreak

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Etymology

Origin of cockcrow

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; see origin at cock ¹, crow ²

Example Sentences

Like a million other South Africans, the Stoltz family was up at cockcrow one morning last week, all ready to cast its votes in the first general election since 1948.

From Time Magazine Archive

At cockcrow one day last week, loudspeaker trucks began to cruise slowly through Saigon's streets.

From Time Magazine Archive

Since Gabriel's first cockcrow, seven Messiahs have done their miraculous best to redeem mankind.

From Time Magazine Archive

But once they hatched between hard covers, he knew how to sound the cockcrow of publicity.

From Time Magazine Archive

We would dance until cockcrow, then take off our sweaty shirts, enjoying the cool morning breeze as we walked back to our dorms.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah