Word Study
coxcomb
CIDE DICTIONARY
coxcomb, n. [A corrupted spelling of cock's comb.].
- A strip of red cloth notched like the comb of a cock, which licensed jesters formerly wore in their caps. [1913 Webster]
- 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." [1913 Webster] - 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." [1913 Webster]"Some are bewildered in the maze of schools,
And some made coxcombs, nature meant but fools." [1913 Webster] - A name given to several plants of different genera, but particularly to
Celosia cristata , or garden cockscomb. Same as Cockscomb. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
coxcomb, n. an ostentatiously conceited man; a dandy.
Derivative
coxcombry n. (pl. -ies).
Etymology
= cock's comb (see COCK(1)), orig. (a cap worn by) a jester
THESAURUS
coxcomb
Beau Brummel, beau, bladder, blade, blood, boulevardier, buck, cap and bells, clotheshorse, dandy, dude, exquisite, fashion plate, fine gentleman, fop, fribble, gallant, jack-a-dandy, jackanapes, lady-killer, lounge lizard, macaroni, man-about-town, masher, motley, puppy, slapstick, sock, spark, sport, swellROGET THESAURUS
coxcomb
Fop
N fop, fine gentleman, swell, dandy, dandiprat, exquisite, coxcomb, beau, macaroni, blade, blood, buck, man about town, fast man, fribble, milliner, Jemmy Jessamy, carpet knight, masher, dude, fine lady, coquette, flirt, vamp.Vanity
N vanity, conceit, conceitedness, self-conceit, self- complacency, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-esteem, self-love, self-approbation, self-praise, self-glorification, self-laudation, self-gratulation, self-applause, self-admiration, amour propre, selfishness, airs, affected manner, pretensions, mannerism, egotism, priggism, priggishness, coxcombry, gaudery, vainglory, elation, pride, ostentation, assurance, vox et praeterea nihil, cheval de bataille, coxcomb, Sir Oracle, vain, vain as a peacock, proud as a peacock, conceited, overweening, pert, forward, vainglorious, high-flown, ostentatious, puffed up, inflated, flushed, self-satisfied, self-confident, self-sufficient, self-flattering, self-admiring, self-applauding, self-glorious, self-opinionated, entente, wise in one's own conceit, pragmatical, overwise, pretentious, priggish, egotistic, egotistical, soi-disant, arrogant, unabashed, unblushing, unconstrained, unceremonious, free and easy, vainly, how we apples swim!, prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk.For further exploring for "coxcomb" in Webster Dictionary Online
