cock
UK: kɒk | US: kɑːk
n. 1. An adult male bird, especially of the domestic fowl.
n. 2. (Vulgar slang) The penis.
n. 3. (British) A term of familiarity or endearment (archaic or dialectal).
vt. 1. To tilt or turn something upward (e.g., "cock one's head").
The word "cock" traces back to Old English cocc, meaning "male bird," likely of onomatopoeic origin, imitating the bird's call. Over time, it broadened to colloquial uses, including vulgar slang (16th century) and mechanical terms (e.g., "cocking a gun," from the upward-tilted hammer resembling a rooster's comb). Its Germanic roots (compare Old Norse kokkr) suggest a shared imitative origin. The word remains monomorphic, as its structure does not permit further meaningful segmentation.
The cock crowed at dawn, waking the village.
(Vulgar) He made a crude joke about his cock.
(British dialect) "Alright, cock?" he greeted his friend.
She cocked her head in curiosity.
The hunter cocked his rifle before taking aim.