cockish, a.
(ˈkɒkɪʃ)
[f. cock n.1 + -ish.]
1. Of or pertaining to a cock (obs.); now only humorous, cocklike.
| 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iv. (1586) 161 Such [Hens] as after the Cockishe maner either crowe or treade. Ibid. iv. 158 [Hens] free from spurres: for such as weare those Cockish weapons, are not good for broode. |
2. Like a cock in disposition; strutting, self-assertive, assuming, cocky.
| 1546 Bale Eng. Votaries ii. (1550) 50 b, Bryngyng with hym the metropolycall mantell of Anselme, to augment hys cockysh autorite. 1589 Nashe Pasquil & Marforius 15 In his Proem to his cokish conclusions. c 1690 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Cockish, wanton, uppish, forward. |
† 3. Lecherous, wanton. Obs. or dial.
| 1570 Levins Manip. 145 Cockish, salax. 1598 Florio, Galluta, a cockish wanton. 1847–78 Halliwell, Cockish, wanton. North. |
Hence ˈcockishly adv.; ˈcockishness.
| 1563–87 Foxe A. & M. (1596) 532/1 You..which take upon you so cockishlie (rather than wiselie) to be a controller and maister moderatour of other mens matters. 1573 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (1884) 26 Whi [they] uppon a meere cockishnes..in mi absenc flatly deniid me. 1598 Florio, Galloria, cockishnes, iollity, mirth. 1727–31 Bailey, Cockishness, uppishness. |