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cockscomb

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • n cockscomb the fleshy red crest on the head of the domestic fowl and other gallinaceous birds
    • n cockscomb a cap worn by court jesters; adorned with a strip of red
    • n cockscomb a conceited dandy who is overly impressed by his own accomplishments
    • n cockscomb garden annual with featherlike spikes of red or yellow flowers
    • ***
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • Cockscomb (Bot) A plant (Celosia cristata), of many varieties, cultivated for its broad, fantastic spikes of brilliant flowers; -- sometimes called garden cockscomb. Also the Pedicularis, or lousewort, the Rhinanthus Crista-galli, and the Onobrychis Crista-galli.
    • Cockscomb See Coxcomb.
    • ***
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n cockscomb The comb or caruncle of a cock.
    • n cockscomb A name given to flowering plants of various genera. By gardeners it is properly confined to Celosia cristata (see cut under Celosia), but it is also applied to some similar species of Amarantus. as well as to the yellow-rattle, Rhinanthus Crista-galli, from the shape of its calyx, and locally to several other plants. In the West Indies the name is given to the Erythrina Crista-galli, on account of its crest-like corolla.
    • n cockscomb A kind of oyster, Ostræa cristagalli, having both valves plaited. Also called cockscomb-oyster. E. P. Wright.
    • n cockscomb In anatomy, the crista galli of the ethmoid bone. See crista.
    • n cockscomb In lace-making, a bride. See bride, 2.
    • n cockscomb A fop; a vain silly fellow: in this sense usually written coxcomb (which see).
    • n cockscomb Nautical, a notched cleat on the yard-arm of a vessel to facilitate hauling out the reef-earings.
    • ***
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • Cockscomb the comb or crest on a cock's head: a fop: the name of various plants
    • ***

Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1st cock, n. + comb, crest
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
A.S. coc; Ice. kokkr.

Usage

In literature:

Here's Rahere's name writ, and there's Rahere's red cockscomb mark drawn below for such as cannot read.
"Rewards and Fairies" by Rudyard Kipling
Getting tired, I took out my sketch-book and drew Lubuga, the pet, which amused the king immensely as he recognised her cockscomb.
"The Discovery of the Source of the Nile" by John Hanning Speke
His hair was cut short, with the exception of a ridge on the top which ran stem to stern, like a cockscomb.
"Great African Travellers" by W.H.G. Kingston
The border is composed of festoons decorated with cockscomb and sprays of flowers.
"Quilts" by Marie D. Webster
The cockscombs of young cockrels may be boiled tender, and then blanched, or a sweetbread will do as well.
"The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches," by Mary Eaton
On their heads, completely masking their hair, were cloth caps which bore ragged crests not unlike cockscombs.
"The People of the Crater" by Andrew North
All the tall red cockscombs stand before them on either side and bow; they are the chamberlains.
"Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales" by Hans Christian Andersen
Here's Rahere's name writ, and there's Rahere's red cockscomb sign drawn below for such as cannot read.
"Rewards and Fairies" by Rudyard Kipling
Cockscomb and peony fine, Lend me your lordliest reds!
"In My Nursery" by Laura E. Richards
There were also some very fine dwarf cockscombs growing in a pit.
"Journal of a Horticultural Tour through Germany, Belgium, and part of France, in the Autumn of 1835" by James Forbes
Both tribes are fond of the flower of the cockscomb for this purpose, and when that is not procurable, use the red cotton.
"The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India" by R. V. Russell
***

In poetry:

At my house
I sowed and nurtured cockscomb
It withered, yet
No wiser, once again
I'll sow, I feel.
"At my house" by Yamabe no Akahito
To warm their bodies through the cold night, up-country menials kept
a fire going
In the field-red fire like a cockscomb blossom,
Still burning, contorting dry aswattha leaves.
"The Hunt (Sikar)" by Jibanananda Das

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