Lexic.us

Definition of Peacock

1. Noun. European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot.

2. Noun. Male peafowl; having a crested head and very large fanlike tail marked with iridescent eyes or spots.

Definition of Peacock

1. n. The male of any pheasant of the genus Pavo, of which at least two species are known, native of Southern Asia and the East Indies.

Definition of Peacock

1. Noun. A male or female pheasant of the two genera: ''Pavo'' or ''Afropavo'', whose males have extravagant tails. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Peacock

1. to strut vainly [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Peacock

1. 1. The male of any pheasant of the genus Pavo, of which at least two species are known, native of Southern Asia and the East Indies. The upper tail coverts, which are long and capable of erection, are each marked with a black spot bordered by concentric bands of brilliant blue, green, and golden colours. The common domesticated species is Pavo cristatus. The Javan peacock (P. Muticus) is more brilliantly coloured than the common species. 2. In common usage, the species in general or collectively; a peafowl. Peacock butterfly, any one of several species of handsome Asiatic pheasants of the genus Polyplectron. They resemble the peacock in colour. Origin: OE. Pecok. Pea- in this word is from AS. Pea, pawa, peacock, fr. L. Pavo, prob. Of Oriental origin; cf. Gr, Per. Taus, tawus, Ar. Tawus. See Cock the bird. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Peacock

peaching peachleaf willow peachless peachlike peachtrees peachwood peachy peachy keen peacified peacifies

peacify peacifying peacing peacoat peacoats peacock (current term) peacock-blue peacock-throne peacock blue peacock flower

peacock flower fence peacock ore peacock worm peacock worms peacocked peacockeries peacockery peacockier

Literary usage of Peacock

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Dictionary of National Biography by LESLIE. STEPHEN (1895)
"1566-7) peacock preached in Latin before the visitors in St. Mary's Church, ... Mi-ii peacock also translated from the French ' Ambrose and Eleanor, ..."

2. Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838 by Charles Wilkes (1852)
"Departure of peacock and Flying-Fish—Gale—Separation—Defective Outfits of ... AT ten AM, on the 2.5th of February, the peacock, with the tender Flying-Fish, ..."

3. Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition During the Years 1838 by Charles Wilkes (1845)
"... ICY BARRIER—PORPOISE LOST SIGHT OF—PROCEEDINGS OF THE peacock FROM THE THIRD ... SEEN FROM THE peacock-PROCEEDINGS OF THE peacock-SOUNDINGS OBTAINED BY ..."

4. The English Poets: Selections with Critical Introductions by Thomas Humphry Ward (1917)
"peacock died at Halliford. near Shepperton, on January 23, 1866. ... The fame of peacock as a prose humourist of incomparable vivacity has tended to ..."

5. South Eastern Reporter by West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, West Publishing Company, South Carolina Supreme Court (1909)
"It was In evidence that other claims against peacock were placed In the hands of Mr. Raper for ... peacock paid $50 on the note -which was duly credited. ..."

Other Resources: