coxcombry

[ koks-kohm-ree ]

noun

, plural cox·comb·ries.

1. the manners or behavior of a coxcomb.
2. a foppish trait.

coxcombry

/ ˈkɒksˌkəʊmrɪ /

noun

1. conceited arrogance or foppishness

Word History and Origins

Origin of coxcombry¹

First recorded in 1600–10; coxcomb + -ry

Example Sentences

As I turned to look after them, with some remark on their coxcombry, they dropped on their knees at the bases of the tall pillars about the altar, and burying their faces in their caps, bowed their heads nearly to the floor, in attitudes of the deepest devotion.

From Project Gutenberg

"Straws show which way the wind blows," and a comment may be drawn from the popular novels, where the literary man is obliged to wash off the ink in a violet bath, attest his courage in the duel, and hide his idealism beneath the vulgar nonchalance and coxcombry of the man of fashion.

From Project Gutenberg

The Count said this with so charming a smile, and looked so pre-eminently handsome, that he carried off the coxcombry of the words as gracefully as if they had been spoken by some dazzling hero of the grand old comedy of Parisian life.

From Project Gutenberg

That I have loved your niece—had the madness to love her, if you will—you cannot but have seen; that she has given me some reasonable encouragement it is no coxcombry to say, though I have known from the first what a powerful rival I had against me; but that Valencia loves me and does not love him, I believe—nay, I know.

From Project Gutenberg

The effeminacy and coxcombry of a man’s ruff and band are well ridiculed by many of our dramatic writers.

From Project Gutenberg