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

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

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

The golf ball-shaped cold-water fish is now on display, for a limited time, in the eelgrass area of the aquarium’s Puget Sound Fish alongside the sailfin sculpin and high cockscomb.

From Seattle Times

The seats, some separated by a stack of wood, are still spaced out, and the tables display hand sanitizer along with a glass-enclosed candle and a cockscomb plant.

From Washington Post

He loves to use cockscomb in the fall for its “stunning velvet, brain-like texture,” orange marigolds, and the Protea family of flowers, which he describes as “out of this world.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ridge