COXCOMB • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Coxcomb

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

Listen

noun

Coxcomb n.

(a)

A strip of red cloth notched like the comb of a cock, which licensed jesters formerly wore in their caps.

(b)

The cap itself.

The top of the head, or the head itself. "We will belabor you a little better, And beat a little more care into your coxcombs."

A vain, showy fellow; a conceited, silly man, fond of display; a superficial pretender to knowledge or accomplishments; a fop. "Fond to be seen, she kept a bevy Of powdered coxcombs at her levee." "Some are bewildered in the maze of schools, And some made coxcombs, nature meant but fools."

(Bot.) A name given to several plants of different genera, but particularly to Celosia cristata, or garden cockscomb. Same as Cockscomb.

See images of 'Coxcomb'

Etymology of 'Coxcomb'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Coxcomb" Quotes from Famous Books

... come back. When he has mended what Fluellen calls his 'ploody coxcomb,' he will take out a summons against me ...

— The Beloved Vagabond • William J. Locke

... which fashionable society showed him many samples. Jo knew that 'young Laurence' was regarded as a most eligible parti by worldly mamas, was much smiled upon by their daughters, and flattered enough by ladies of all ages to make a coxcomb of him, so she watched him rather jealously, fearing he would be spoiled, and rejoiced more than she confessed to find that he still believed in modest girls. Returning suddenly to her admonitory tone, ...

— Little Women • Louisa May Alcott

... head of the house. He was answered, that Mr. Mordicai was not at home. His lordship had never seen Mr. Mordicai; but, just then, he saw, walking across the yard, a man, who looked something like a Bond Street coxcomb, but not the least like a gentleman, who called, in the tone of a master, for 'Mr. Mordicai's barouche!' It appeared; and he was stepping into it when Lord Colambre took the liberty of stopping him; and, pointing to the wreck of Mr. Berryl's curricle, ...

— The Absentee • Maria Edgeworth

... never cured; it is the bad stamina of the mind, which, like those of the body, are never rectified; once a coxcomb ...

— Pearls of Thought • Maturin M. Ballou

... the gallant Schemes of Politesse, For books, and buildings, politicks, and dress. This is True Taste, and whoso likes it not, Is blockhead, coxcomb, ...

— De Libris: Prose and Verse • Austin Dobson

More quotes...