half-cock, n.
† 1. Part of a watch: cf. cock n.1 16. Obs.
| 1701 Lond. Gaz. No. 3717/4 A Silver Pendulum Minute Watch..with a Bob Ballance, and Glass in the half Cock. |
2. Of a fire-arm: The position of the cock or hammer when raised only half-way and held by the catch or half-bent, from which it cannot be moved by pulling the trigger. Hence to go off (at) half-cock, to ‘go off’ prematurely; to speak or act without due forethought or preparation, and consequently to fail in attaining one's object.
| 1745 [see cock n.1 13 b]. 1752 J. B. Maccoll in Scots Mag. Aug. (1753) 401/2 The..gun was in use, when going to be snapped, to stand at half cock. 1810 Sporting Mag. XXXV. 152 It [a gun] went off at half-cock. 1847 Infantry Man. (1854) 40 The cock is..to be drawn back to the catch of the half-cock. 1848 Lowell Biglow P. Ser. i. (1880) 38 Now don't go off Half-cock. 1896 Westm. Gaz. 6 Jan. 1/3 Poor Doctor Jim! What disasters he brought down upon his country and his company by going off at half-cock! |
3. attrib., as half-cock shot or stroke Cricket, a stroke begun as a forward stroke but checked half-way, the ball being allowed to hit the bat.
| 1888 R. H. Lyttelton in Steel & Lyttelton Cricket ii. 52 He may, after he has got forward and perceived his error, effect a compromise and perform what is sometimes called a ‘half-cock stroke’. 1909 Westm. Gaz. 17 Apr. 16/2 He may occasionally use a half-cock stroke with the left leg well up to the bat. 1959 Times 29 May 4/4 Hallam..made a half-cock shot to be caught and bowled. |
So half-cock v. trans., to put (a gun) at half-cock.
| 1833 Regul. Instr. Cavalry i. 100 The carbine may be half-cocked. 1847 Marryat Childr. N. Forest xii, If you choose to half-cock your gun..I will do the same. |