cock
cock — noun
1. a fully grown male chicken, raised on a farm for mating with hens or for its mea
a fully grown male chicken, raised on a farm for mating with hens or for its meat and eggs; it is known for its loud cry at daybreak.
The cock crowed at dawn, waking everyone on Aiko's family farm.
collocation: cock crowed at dawn
Beatriz keeps three hens and one cock in her garden coop.
countable noun: a cock / one cock
In the market, a farmer sold Leila a large cock for the weekend stew.
The old cock stood on the wooden fence and flapped its wings noisily.
- hen
an adult female chicken
文法句型
a cock
the cock
用法筆記
In American English, the more common word for a male chicken is 'rooster'. 'Cock' is the usual term in British English but can sound old-fashioned or technical in US contexts.
常見錯誤
2. a fully grown male bird belonging to any species where the male and female look
a fully grown male bird belonging to any species where the male and female look different — for instance, the brighter-coloured male pheasant, peacock, or robin.
In spring, the cock robin sings from the tallest branch in Priya's garden.
pattern: [bird species] + cock
Birdwatchers spotted a cock pheasant with a long striped tail near the river.
The cock peacock spread its brilliant blue feathers to attract a mate.
Kofi watched a cock hummingbird perform a fast aerial dance above the flowers.
- male
a general term without focus on appearance; 'male bird' is more neutral and less vivid than 'cock'
- hen
used for female birds of some species; 'female' is the general term
文法句型
[bird name] + cock
cock + [bird name]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used together with a species name (cock pheasant, cock robin, cock peacock). It is rarely used alone to mean 'male bird' without specifying the type.
常見錯誤
3. a vulgar and offensive slang term for a penis; used in rude jokes, insults, or e
a vulgar and offensive slang term for a penis; used in rude jokes, insults, or explicit language, and generally avoided in polite conversation.
The comedian's crude joke about his cock made several people walk out.
vulgar register — avoid in polite speech
Ravi told his younger brother that 'cock' is an offensive word for a body part.
In some films, the word 'cock' is bleeped out because it is too rude.
The teacher explained that using the word 'cock' in class would be inappropriate.
文法句型
a cock
the cock
用法筆記
This is a strong vulgarity. Learners should recognise it when reading or listening, but avoid using it. It is much cruder than clinical terms like 'penis' and stronger than informal euphemisms.
常見錯誤
4. a friendly, informal way for one man to address another man, similar in tone to
a friendly, informal way for one man to address another man, similar in tone to 'mate', 'pal', or 'buddy', and used especially in working-class or northern English speech.
"Alright there, cock?" said the old man to his neighbour.
informal address between men
"Don't worry about it, cock, I'll sort it out," Tomás said with a grin.
"Cheers, cock, you're a real help," Diego told the mechanic.
"Listen, cock, slow down or you'll crash," warned the driving instructor.
文法句型
used as a form of address: '[exclamation] + cock'
用法筆記
Confined almost entirely to British English working-class speech, especially in northern England. It is friendly between acquaintances but can sound presumptuous if used with strangers. Not used in American English.
常見錯誤
5. a metal or plastic valve fitted to the end of a water or gas pipe; you turn it t
a metal or plastic valve fitted to the end of a water or gas pipe; you turn it to start or stop the passage of water or fuel through the piping.
Hana turned the cock on the kitchen sink to fill the kettle with water.
collocation: turn the cock
The plumber replaced the old bathroom cock because water was leaking from it.
Remember to turn the gas cock off before you leave the house for the weekend.
A small drip from the garden cock had created a puddle on the patio.
文法句型
a cock
turn the cock
cock + [preposition]
用法筆記
This sense is now somewhat old-fashioned in everyday British English, where 'tap' is the dominant word. 'Cock' survives in technical or older plumbing usage (e.g. 'stopcock' for the main water valve in a house).
常見錯誤
cock — verb
1. to lift or angle one of your body parts — most often your head, ear, or eyebrow
to lift or angle one of your body parts — most often your head, ear, or eyebrow — upward or sideways, typically to signal that you are paying attention, feel doubtful, or are reacting with mild defiance.
The dog cocked its head when it heard a strange noise from the kitchen.
pattern: cock + head to show confusion/curiosity
"Is that true?" Theo asked, cocking an eyebrow in surprise.
pattern: cock an eyebrow (show doubt/surprise)
The detective cocked his ear toward the door and listened carefully.
Zara cocked her head as she studied the pattern on the old vase.
The puppy cocked its ear at the sound of a biscuit packet opening.
- lower
opposite direction of movement
文法句型
cock + [body part]
cock + [body part] + [preposition/direction]
用法筆記
The most common objects are 'head', 'ear', and 'eyebrow' (usually as 'cock an eyebrow' to show scepticism). 'Cock a snook' (thumb to nose as a rude gesture) is a fixed British idiom from this sense but is now rare.
常見錯誤
2. to pull back the hammer or slide of a gun, putting the firing mechanism under sp
to pull back the hammer or slide of a gun, putting the firing mechanism under spring tension and making the weapon ready to fire with one trigger pull.
The hunter cocked his rifle before stepping into the silent forest.
pattern: cock + [firearm type]
"Don't move," the guard said, cocking his pistol with a loud click.
sound effect: loud click of the mechanism
Rohan carefully cocked the shotgun and aimed at the clay target.
The soldier cocked his weapon and waited for the order to advance.
- uncock
to release the hammer safely without firing; also 'decock'
文法句型
cock + [gun]
cock + [weapon]
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'load' (put ammunition in) and 'aim' (point at target). 'Cock' specifically refers to arming the firing mechanism. Some modern handguns do not require manual cocking because the trigger pull both cocks and releases the hammer.