COXCOMB

comb, cockscomb, coxcomb

(noun) the fleshy red crest on the head of the domestic fowl and other gallinaceous birds

cockscomb, coxcomb

(noun) a cap worn by court jesters; adorned with a strip of red

coxcomb, cockscomb

(noun) a conceited dandy who is overly impressed by his own accomplishments

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

coxcomb (plural coxcombs)

(historical) The cap of a court jester, adorned with a red stripe.

The fleshy red pate of a rooster.

(by extension) A foolish or conceited person; a dandy.

Synonyms: fool, popinjay

Source: Wiktionary


Cox"comb` (kks"km`), n. Etym: [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.

2. The top of the head, or the head itself. We will belabor you a little better, And beat a little more care into your coxcombs. Beau & Fl.

3. A vain, showy fellow; a conceited, silly man, fond of display; a superficial pretender to knowledge or accomplishments; a fop. Fond to be seen, she kept a bevy Of powdered coxcombs at her levee. Goldsmith. Some are bewildered in the maze of schools, And some made coxcombs, nature meant but fools. Pope.

4. (Bot.)

Definition: A name given to several plants of different genera, but particularly to Celosia cristata, or garden cockscomb. Same as Cockscomb.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

4 June 2025

LEND

(verb) bestow a quality on; “Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company”; “The music added a lot to the play”; “She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings”; “This adds a light note to the program”


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Coffee Trivia

There are four varieties of commercially viable coffee: Arabica, Liberica, Excelsa, and Robusta. Growers predominantly plant the Arabica species. Although less popular, Robusta tastes slightly more bitter and contains more caffeine.

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