Coxcomb

Origin

From Middle English cokke's comb lit. "the comb of a cock"

Full definition of coxcomb

Noun

1. (obsolete) The cap of a court jester, adorned with a red stripe.
2. A foolish or conceited person; a dandy.
• Fielding Tom Jones|VII|xiii...for though I am afraid the doctor was a little of a coxcomb, he might be nevertheless very much of a surgeon.
• 2010, Pseudonymous Bosch, And she nearly started a fight between two young fops in plumed hats and flouncy collars: "Clay-brained coxcomb!" "Mewling milk-livered maggot!"
3. The fleshy red pate of a rooster.

Derived terms

• coxcombical
• coxcombically

Synonyms

• cockscomb (3)
• fool (2)
• popinjay