English Explanatory Dictionary

peacock

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A male peafowl, especially Pavo cristatus, notable for its brilliant iridescently ocellated tail.
  2. A peafowl (of the genus Pavo or Afropavo), either male or female.
  3. The meat of this bird.
  4. A pompous or vainglorious person [from the 14th c.].
  5. Any of various Asian species of papilionid butterflies of the genus Papilio.
verb
  1. To strut about proudly or haughtily.
  2. To engage in peacocking, ostentatious dress or behaviour to impress women.
name
  1. A surname transferred from the nickname.
  2. A township in Lake County, Michigan, United States.
  3. An unincorporated community in Stonewall County, Texas, United States.

Pronunciation

/ˈpikɑk/ /ˈpiːkɒk/ en-us-peacock.ogg

Word forms

peacock peacocks peacocking peacocked Pocock

Etymology

Etymology tree Latin pāvōbor. Proto-Germanic *pāwô Proto-West Germanic *pāwō Old English pāwa Middle English pe Proto-Germanic *kukkaz Proto-West Germanic *kokk Old English cocc Middle English cok Middle English pecok English peacock From Middle English pecok, pekok, pocok, pacok, first component from Old English pēa, pāwa (“peacock, peafowl”), ultimately from Latin pāvō; equivalent to pea + cock. Compare Old Norse páfugl (“peacock”, literally “peafowl”), and English peahen, peachick, etc.

Synonyms

peafowl turkeycock

Related words

pajock

Derived words

East Atlantic peacock wrasse European peacock giant peacock moth Indian peacock Java peacock Lower Peacock meacock Peacock Alley peacock bass peacock blue peacock butterfly peacock chair peacock copper Peacock Creek peacockery peacock fish peacock flounder peacock flower peacock fly peacocking peacockish peacockism peacock jumping spider peacocklike peacock mantis shrimp peacock mite peacock moth peacock ore peacock pansy peacock parachute spider peacock pheasant peacock-pheasant peacock spider peacockwise peacock worm peacocky proud as a peacock Peacockian
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