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cock

cock

16 9.9
The part of a gun that hits the cap when the trigger is pulled
  • noun
  • /kɑk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : martillo
  • When he pulled the trigger, the cock of the gun struck the percussion cap, firing the bullet.
  • gun cock
  • cock of the hammer
  • half-cock

Examples

  • Two-Face cocks back the hammer.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • This is infamously a cock on close action, so the cocking piece comes back and sets up our firing pin to fire as we stroke the bolt forward.

  • It was still at full cock, and I was not sure how to operate the safety catch.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • LeMalle looks up when he hears the hammer cock.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • A gun cocks.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • To ensure the gun fires properly, always check that the cock is fully engaged before pulling the trigger.

  • A well-designed firearm includes a cock mechanism that reliably strikes the cap to ignite the charge.

Synonyms

hammer
vscock
  • Specialized
10 7.1

A metal part of a gun that strikes the firing pin to fire

is specific to the gunlock part rather than the general firing mechanism

Idioms

to suck cock
  • Offensive
6 9.9

To perform oral sex on a man or use as a rude insult

1 9.2

To act too quickly without thinking first

9.9

Get up very early before sunrise

cock-a-hoop
  • Archaic
9.9

Feeling very proud and excited and showing it to others

to cock a snook
  • Archaic
9.9

Show openly that you do not respect someone, often by a rude gesture

9.9

A person who does not fit in and upsets others

To play or enjoy music very loudly and with wild energy

9.9

To do something very badly and look foolish

To give sexual favors to a man to get a job promotion

9.9

Act too friendly and eager to please someone to get a favor

Compounds

cock sucking
  • Offensive
4 9.9

An act of using the mouth to stimulate a man's penis for sexual pleasure

cock ring
  • Offensive
2 9.8

A ring worn around the penis base to help keep an erection by reducing blood flow

1 6.3

An absurd lie used to avoid blame or trick someone

cock tease
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A rude word for a person who shows sexual interest but refuses sex, often making others feel upset

1 9.1

A male chicken bred and trained to fight other roosters

1 9.9

A Scottish soup containing chicken and leeks, often with prunes

ball cock
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A valve with a floating ball that controls the water level in a toilet tank

chaparral cock
  • Archaic
9.9

A fast ground bird called a roadrunner that lives in dry parts of the United States and Mexico

7.2

A false story people tell to hide the real reason

9.9

A rude slang phrase used to insult women with many sexual partners

cock gobbler
  • Offensive
9.9

A rude word people use to insult someone who brags and seems foolish

A bright red or orange South American bird with a fan-shaped crest

cock pilot
  • Offensive
9.9

A pilot who has little experience and takes dangerous risks

cock sock
  • NSFW
9.9

A tight cover that people wear over the penis for modesty or support in sport and performance

escape cock
  • Archaic
9.3

A valve that opens by itself to let out extra pressure in a steam boiler

half-cock
  • Informal
9.9

A messy situation when people do not plan enough

jungle cock
  • Indian
9.5

A wild male bird like a rooster with bright feathers found in Asian forests

9.9

A male turkey with large colorful tail feathers

Surface Forms

cock singular
cocks plural

Etymology

Cock: The word cock for the part of a gun comes from the idea that the metal piece looked like a rooster's head or spur, so people called that piece a cock; that is why the gun's cock is the part that strikes to fire.