cock

Everyday

1. A cock is an adult male chicken (a rooster); also the male of some other birds. tree →
2. To cock your head or ear is to tilt it or lift it, often to listen. tree →
3. To cock a gun is to get it ready to fire. tree →
4. (rude) A slang word for a man's private part; also a rude insult. tree →
5. (UK, informal, old) A friendly word: «All right, cock?» tree →
6. A cock can also be a weathervane: a metal rooster on a roof that turns to show which way the wind blows. tree →

In the lessons

In farm stories and fables (the cock crowed at dawn), the Bible (the cock crowed when Peter denied Jesus), dog behaviour (cocked its head); the rude sense is heard in rough talk and should not be used at school.

Examples

• The cock crowed at sunrise. tree →
• The dog cocked its head when I whistled. tree →
• Before the cock crows, Peter will deny Jesus, the Bible says. tree →
• The hens and the cock live in the back garden. tree →
• He cocked an ear to listen at the door. tree →
• (rude) The older boys called him a cock, and the teacher stepped in. tree →

Note

Many people prefer «rooster» (US) or «cockerel» (UK, a young cock) to avoid the rude sense. Words like cockpit, cockroach, cocktail, peacock are fine. Phrase «cock-a-doodle-doo» is the rooster's sound.