cockscomb

[ koks-kohm ]

noun

1. the comb or caruncle of a cock.
2. the cap, resembling a cockscomb, formerly worn by professional fools.
3. a garden plant, Celosia cristata, of the amaranth family, with flowers, commonly crimson or purple, in a broad spike somewhat resembling the comb of a cock.
4. any of several other species of the genus Celosia.
5. an elongate prickleback, Anoplarchus purpurescens, living among submerged rocks along the Pacific coast of North America.
6. a gaslight burner having four or more jets.
7. coxcomb ( def 1 ).

cockscomb

/ ˈkɒksˌkəʊm /

noun

1. the comb of a domestic cock
2. an amaranthaceous garden or pot plant, Celosia cristata, with yellow, crimson, or purple feathery plumelike flowers in a broad spike resembling the comb of a cock
3. any similar species of Celosia
4. informal.
   a conceited dandy

Word History and Origins

Origin of cockscomb¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; cock ¹, 's ¹, comb

Example Sentences

The roof of Boafo's building is a cockscomb with three points, said to be an audacious nod to the crown motif in the paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

From BBC

Only when I stooped to read the label for one velvety red blossom — it was a cockscomb, Celosia “Dracula” — did I notice the knee-high, cast-foam black vulture that was sitting watchfully beside it.

From New York Times

Local resident and short-term rental owner Cat Sullivan said the Dawa and Cockscomb trails, on Sedona’s northern edge near Dry Creek, “don’t get overrun with people.”

From Los Angeles Times

At Garcia’s five-acre farm, Mi Rancho Conejo, cradled in the hills near Moorpark, they also were harvesting 20,000 cresta de gallo — cockscomb, in colors ranging from deep scarlet to wispy pink — for the holiday.

From Los Angeles Times

Workers had set up tables outside the market so Garcia, his wife and others could wrap marigold and cockscomb bouquets in plastic.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ridge