Nearby Words
noun
1.
the male of the peafowl distinguished by its long, erectile, greenish, iridescent tail coverts that are brilliantly marked with ocellated spots and that can be spread in a fan.
2.
any peafowl.
3.
a vain, self-conscious person.
4.
(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Pavo.
verb (used without object)
5.
to make a vainglorious display; strut like a peacock.
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Peacockery
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English pecok, equivalent to pe- (Old English pēa peafowl < Latin pāvōn- pavo) + cok (Old English coc cock1)
1250–1300; Middle English pecok, equivalent to pe- (Old English pēa peafowl < Latin pāvōn- pavo) + cok (Old English coc cock1)
Related forms
pea·cock·er·y, pea·cock·ism, noun
pea·cock·ish, pea·cock·y, adjective
pea·cock·ish·ly, adverb
pea·cock·ish·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To peacockery
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
peacock
c.1300, poucock, from M.E. po "peacock" + coc (see cock (n.)). Po is from O.E. pawa "peafowl," from L. pavo (gen. pavonis), which, with Gk. taos said to be ultimately from Tamil tokei (but perhaps is imitative; Latin represented the peacock's sound as paupulo). The Latin word
EXPANDalso is the source of O.H.G. pfawo, Ger. Pfau, Du. pauw, O.C.S. pavu. Used as the type of a vainglorious person from late 14c. Its flesh superstitiously believed to be incorruptible (even St. Augustine credits this). "When he sees his feet, he screams wildly, thinking that they are not in keeping with the rest of his body." [Epiphanus]
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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