| 释义 |
† ˈmeacock Obs.
Forms: 6 maycocke, meycocke, mecock(e, meicocke, 6–7 meacock(e.
[Of obscure origin: perh. orig. a name of some bird (cf. quot. 1575). (The suggestion that it is f. meek a. is untenable.)]
1. An effeminate person; a coward, weakling.
1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 69 b, He sholde be no cowarde, no maycocke, no fearfull persone that dare nothynge enterpryse. 1563–87Foxe A. & M. (1596) 394/2 [The bishop] rebuked the maior and his brethren for mecocks and dastards. 1575R. B. Appius & Virginia B, As stout as a Stockefish, as meeke as a mecocke. 1590Tarlton's News Purgat. 39 Shee found fault with him, because he was a meacocke and a milkesoppe. 1640H. Glapthorne Hollander ii. Wks. 1874 I. 98 They are like my husband, meere meacocks verily. 1719D'Urfey Pills (1872) IV. 14 For my part I will no more be such a Meacock To deal with the plumes of a Hyde-Park Peacock. 1834Sir H. Taylor Artevelde iii. ii, A bookish nursling of the monks—a meacock!
2. attrib. passing into adj. Effeminate; cowardly.
1587Churchyard Worth. Wales (1876) 41 Yonder effeminate and meycocke people. 1601Chester Love's Mart. (N. Shaks. Soc.) 59 Let vs giue onset on that meacocke Nation. 1639G. Daniel Vervic. 176 Shall..Warwicke keepe The strength of Callice? meacocke King, you sleepe. |