cockscomb

[ koks-kohm ]

/ ˈkɒksˌkoʊm /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR cockscomb ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the comb or caruncle of a cock.

the cap, resembling a cock'scomb, formerly worn by professional fools.

a garden plant, Celosia cristata, of the amaranth family, with flowers, commonly crimson or purple, in a broad spike somewhat resembling the comb of a cock.

any of several other species of the genus Celosia.

an elongate prickleback, Anoplarchus purpurescens, living among submerged rocks along the Pacific coast of North America.

a gaslight burner having four or more jets.

coxcomb (def. 1).

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to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.

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Origin of cockscomb

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at cock¹, 's¹, comb

Words nearby cockscomb

cock of the walk, cock of the woods, cockpit, cockroach, cock rock, cockscomb, cock's-foot, cockshot, cockshut, cockshy, cockspur

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for cockscomb

I did not answer, but my face flushed as red as a cockscomb.
My Double Life|Sarah Bernhardt
Getting tired, I took out my sketch-book and drew Lubuga, the pet, which amused the king immensely as he recognised her cockscomb.
The Discovery of the Source of the Nile|John Hanning Speke
There is a row of narrow green pointed leaves, standing up like a cockscomb behind each row of flowers.
Flowers Shown to the Children|C. E. Smith
There was the twist round the head, the cockscomb, the hanging piece of liripipe.
English Costume|Dion Clayton Calthrop

From the shape of the flames this form of burner received the name "cockscomb."
Artificial Light|M. Luckiesh

British Dictionary definitions for cockscomb

cockscomb

coxcomb

/ (ˈkɒksˌkəʊm) /

noun

the comb of a domestic cock

an amaranthaceous garden or pot plant, Celosia cristata, with yellow, crimson, or purple feathery plumelike flowers in a broad spike resembling the comb of a cock

any similar species of Celosia

informal a conceited dandy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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cockscomb

noun

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Origin of cockscomb

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Example sentences from the Web for cockscomb

British Dictionary definitions for cockscomb

coxcomb

noun

MEANINGS

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WORD OF THE DAY

cockscomb

noun

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Origin of cockscomb

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Words related to cockscomb

Example sentences from the Web for cockscomb

British Dictionary definitions for cockscomb

coxcomb

noun