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British writer noted for his satirical novels, including Nightmare Abbey (1818). |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. 1. a. A male peafowl, distinguished by its crested head, brilliant blue or green plumage, and long modified back feathers that are marked with iridescent eyelike spots and that can be spread in a fanlike form. b. A peafowl, either male or female. 2. A vain or ostentatious person. intr.v. pea·cocked, pea·cock·ing, pea·cocks To strut about like a peacock; exhibit oneself vainly. [Middle English pocock, pecok : po, peacock (from Old English pawa, pēa, peafowl, from Latin pāvō, peacock) + Middle English cok; see COCK1.] peacock′ish, peacock′y adj.  (click for a larger image) peacockpeacock displaying Pavo cristatus |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
