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COXCOMB (n. pl. -S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a conceited dandy; a person overly concerned about appearance; “a foolish, conceited, showy person, vain of his accomplishments, appearance or dress” (OED)
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: coxcombIC, coxcombRY, coxcombICAL, coxcombRIES
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: COCKSCOMB
- Related Forms: COXCOMBIC (adj.), COXCOMBICAL (adj.) and COXCOMBRY (n.)
Epilogue:
The association between birds and vanity goes back many centuries. The PEACOCK was portrayed as boastful in medieval bestiaries as early as the 12th century, leading to a verb form meaning “to strut vainly.” The COCK (or ROOSTER) was similarly portrayed as being vain, perhaps from the way it holds its head up, leading to the familiar adjective COCKY. Similarly, a “cock’s comb” or COCKSCOMB (or eventually COXCOMB) was used to refer to a cap worn by a professional fool or jester, before becoming a general term for a conceited fool of any kind. The word PRINCOX (or PRINCOCK), another word for a conceited person, probably has a similar origin in the rooster’s association with strutting vanity.
Theme:
This week we continue with words about bragging, vanity, and boastfulness
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