cockshy

American  

[kok-shahy] / ˈkɒkˌʃaɪ /

noun

British.

plural

cockshies

1. the act or sport of throwing missiles at a target.

2. the target itself.

---

cockshy British  

/ ˈkɒkˌʃaɪ /

noun

1. a target aimed at in throwing games

2. the throw itself.

---

Etymology

Origin of cockshy

First recorded in 1785–95; cock ¹ + shy ²

Example Sentences

He had seen Tom Ricketts, of the fourth form, who used to wear a jacket and trowsers so ludicrously tight, that the elder boys could not forbear using him in the quality of a butt or "cockshy"—he had seen this very Ricketts arrayed in crimson and gold, with an immense bear-skin cap on his head, staggering under the colors of the regiment.

From Project Gutenberg

Four men came tumbling down, one after the other, like dolls at a cockshy.

From Project Gutenberg

I had seen dawn, day: I had basked in the sunshine of men’s respect; I was back in Stygian night—back in the shadow of that infernal Castle—still hunted by the law—with possibly a smaller chance than ever of escape—the cockshy of the elements—with no shelter for my head but a Paisley shawl of violent pattern.

From Project Gutenberg

Russell's Top was another "Apex" and a cockshy for any enemy guns that were within range.

From Project Gutenberg

The poor little beggar was furious, lost his temper, and called us a lot of ill-mannered, vulgar fellows, and then some one or other whipped off the offending hat, threw it into the street, and made a cockshy of it.

From Project Gutenberg