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ken together; the whole of a structure if the roof is of spire form. See Spire. "A weathercock on a steeple." Shak. Rood steeple. See Rood tower, under Rood. -- Steeple bush (Bot.), a low shrub (Spiræa tomentosa) having dense panicles of minute rose-colored flowers; hardhack. -- Steeple chase, a race across country b…

A relater of stories; an historian. [Obs.] Bp. Peacock.

is something distinct from, and superadded unto, its natural gravity. Bp. Wilkins. The peacock laid it extremely to heart that he had not the nightingale's voice superadded to the beauty of his plumes. L'Estrange.

To purne; to trim. [Obs.] Cockeram.

winging, or dragging motion; hence, to carry in a stately or proud fashion. And like a peacock sweep along his tail. Shak.

tatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big. Here he comes, swelling like a turkey cock. Shak.

Vanessa cardui) whose larva feeds upon thistles; -- called also painted lady. -- Thistle cock (Zoöl.), the corn bunting (Emberiza militaria). [Prov. Eng.] -- Thistle crown, a gold coin of England of the reign of James I., worth four shillings. -- Thistle finch (Zoöl.), the goldfinch; -- so called from its fondness fo…

bears thorns; especially, any species of the genus Cratægus, as the hawthorn, whitethorn, cockspur thorn.

Connected with, or serving to connect, three channels or pipes; as, a three-way cock or valve.

ree times. "Thrice in vain." Spenser. Verily I say unto thee. That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Matt. xxvi. 34.

ary and the processes continuous; -- so called because it makes a singing noise. Throstle cock, the missel thrush. [Prov. Eng.]

the silky timber beetle (Lymexylon sericeum). -- Timber doodle (Zoöl.), the American woodcock. [Local, U.S.] -- Timber grouse (Zoöl.), any species of grouse that inhabits woods, as the ruffed grouse and spruce partridge; -- distinguished from prairie grouse. -- Timber hitch (Naut.), a kind of hitch used for temporari…

A petty officer among lascars, or native East Indian sailors; a boatswain's mate; a cockswain. [India] Malcom.

ll jug, pitcher, or mug, generally used for ale, shaped somewhat like a stout man, with a cocked hat forming the brim.

at funerals, or in calling assemblies, or to announce the death of a person. The country cocks do crow, the clocks do toll. Shak. Now sink in sorrows with a tolling bell. Pope.

The entrails of a fowl, especially of game, as the woodcock, and the like; -- applied also, sometimes, to the entrails of sheep. The woodcock is a favorite with epicures, and served with its trail in, is a delicious dish. Baird.

A cock. [Obs.] Chaucer.

it; especially (Firearms), the part of a lock which is moved by the finger to release the cock and discharge the piece. Trigger fish (Zoöl.), a large plectognath fish (Balistes Carolinensis or B. capriscus) common on the southern coast of the United States, and valued as a food fish in some localities. Its rough skin i…

To dance. [R.] Cockeram.

pt; experiment; trial. This breaking of his has been but a try for his friends. Shak. Try cock, a gauge cock. See under Gauge.