| 释义 |
† shy cock, ˈshy-cock slang. Obs.
[f. shy a. + cock n.1]
(? A cock that refuses to fight; also, a cock that is ‘shy’ or not easily caught. ? Hence:) A wary or cowardly person; also, ‘One who keeps within doors for fear of bailiffs’ (Grose Dict. Vulgar T. 1785).
1768Goldsm. Good-n. Man. iii, There is not a prettier scout..after a shy-cock than he. 1771Smollett Humph. Cl. 6 May ii, She laid all her snares for Dr. Lewis..but the doctor being a shy cock would not be caught with chaff. 1796F. Reynolds Fortune's Fool v. 59 The members rose, lock'd the door, and call'd me a shycock!—forced the pistol into my hand. 1804Naval Chron. XII. 396 He is a shy-cock. |