Antonyms for peacocks


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : pee-kok
Phonetic Transcription : ˈpiˌkɒk


Definition of peacocks

Origin :
  • c.1300, poucock, from Middle English po "peacock" + coc (see cock (n.)).
  • Po is from Old English pawa "peafowl" (cock or hen), from Latin pavo (genitive pavonis), which, with Greek taos said to be ultimately from Tamil tokei (but perhaps is imitative; Latin represented the peacock's sound as paupulo).
  • The Latin word also is the source of Old High German pfawo, German Pfau, Dutch pauw, Old Church Slavonic pavu. Used as the type of a vainglorious person from late 14c. Its flesh superstitiously was believed to be incorruptible (even St. Augustine credits this). "When he sees his feet, he screams wildly, thinking that they are not in keeping with the rest of his body." [Epiphanus]
  • As in braggart : noun person who talks boastingly
  • As in vaunter : noun braggart
  • As in fop : noun dandy
  • As in pose : verb sit, stand in place
  • As in pose : verb pretend, fake
  • As in strut : verb walk pompously
  • As in swagger : verb show off; walk pompously
  • As in swank : verb strut
  • As in swash : verb strut
Example sentences :
  • The poor Frenchmen looked like peacocks in their dress, but we did not envy them their finery.
  • Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper
  • It was surrounded by many-colored clouds, and peacocks and cranes were flying about it.
  • Extract from : « The Chinese Fairy Book » by Various
  • Gypsies, like peacocks, thrive best when allowed to range afar.
  • Extract from : « The Gypsies » by Charles G. Leland
  • But, Susie, do you know, I'm greatly horrified at the penwipers of peacocks' feathers!
  • Extract from : « Hortus Inclusus » by John Ruskin
  • I wonder when Solomon got his ivory and apes and peacocks, whether he ever had time to look at them.
  • Extract from : « Hortus Inclusus » by John Ruskin
  • At this point the peacocks came round the corner on a puff of wind.
  • Extract from : « Wintry Peacock » by D. H. Lawrence
  • Swans and peacocks were regarded as great dainties in the Middle Ages.
  • Extract from : « Folkways » by William Graham Sumner
  • Peacocks, &c.: carve like you do the Crane, keeping their feet on.
  • Extract from : « Early English Meals and Manners » by Various
  • Your letter has made me as proud and conceited as ten peacocks.
  • Extract from : « More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II » by Charles Darwin
  • Peacocks and birds of paradise were depicted on its silken hangings.
  • Extract from : « A Tour of the Missions » by Augustus Hopkins Strong

Synonyms for peacocks

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019