coxcomb

Noun
Synonyms: cockscombcomb

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. a conceited dandy who is overly impressed by his own accomplishmentsSynonyms: cockscomb
  2. a cap worn by court jesters; adorned with a strip of redSynonyms: cockscomb
  3. the fleshy red crest on the head of the domestic fowl and other gallinaceous birdsSynonyms: combcockscomb
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Coxcomb \Cox"comb`\ (k?ks"k?m`), n. [A corrupted spelling of cock's comb.] 1. (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. [1913 Webster]

2.The top of the head, or the head itself. [1913 Webster]

We will belabor you a little better, And beat a little more care into your coxcombs.— Beau & Fl.[1913 Webster]

3.A vain, showy fellow; a conceited, silly man, fond of display; a superficial pretender to knowledge or accomplishments; a fop. [1913 Webster]

Fond to be seen, she kept a bevy Of powdered coxcombs at her levee.— Goldsmith.[1913 Webster]
Some are bewildered in the maze of schools, And some made coxcombs, nature meant but fools.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

4.(Bot.) A name given to several plants of different genera, but particularly to Celosia cristata, or garden cockscomb. Same as Cockscomb. [1913 Webster]

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