cochin

Everyday

1. A large, fluffy breed of chicken with feathers growing down over its legs and feet, first brought to Britain from Asia in the 1800s. tree →
2. (a place name) Cochin, the old English name of Kochi, a port city in the state of Kerala in south-west India, famous for spices and fishing nets. tree →
3. (a place name) Cochin China, an old French name for the southern part of Vietnam. tree →

In the lessons

It appears in farm, pet-chicken and history texts. Cochin chickens are gentle, round birds that children keep as pets; the place Cochin appears in stories of the spice trade and of explorers like Vasco da Gama. Phrases: «a Cochin hen», «bantam Cochin», «Cochin (now Kochi)».

Examples

• Our neighbour keeps a fluffy Cochin hen in her garden. tree →
• Cochin chickens have feathers right down to their toes. tree →
• The Cochin was so calm that the little ones could stroke it. tree →
• Ships sailed to Cochin to buy pepper and spices. tree →
• Cochin is now called Kochi. tree →
• We saw the big Chinese fishing nets of Kochi in a geography video. tree →
• There are two Cochin Chinese amongst them; they wear feathers on their legs, and are well educated. tree →

Note

Usually written with a capital C because it comes from a place name. Said «KO-chin» or «KOH-chin». The city's official name today is Kochi; Cochin is the older English spelling. It is not connected to «coach».