coxcomb

views updated May 14 2018

cox·comb / ˈkäksˌkōm/ • n. 1. dated a vain and conceited man; a dandy.2. variant spelling of cockscomb (sense 2).DERIVATIVES: cox·comb·ry n. (pl. -ries) (in sense 1).cox·comb·er·y / -ˌkōm(ə)rē/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

coxcomb

views updated Jun 27 2018

coxcomb cap worn by a professional fool (in shape and colour like a cock's comb); (arch.) †head; †fool; fop. XVI.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

coxcomb

views updated Jun 11 2018

coxcomb a vain and conceited man, ultimately from a variant of cockscomb, and referring to the design of a jester's cap.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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