Ball cock — Cock Cock (k[o^]k), n. [AS. coc; of unknown origin, perh. in imitation of the cry of the cock. Cf. {Chicken}.] 1. The male of birds, particularly of gallinaceous or domestic fowls. [1913 Webster] 2. A vane in the shape of a cock; a weathercock.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Ball cock — Ball Ball (b[add]l), n. [OE. bal, balle; akin to OHG. balla, palla, G. ball, Icel. b[ o]llr, ball; cf. F. balle. Cf. 1st {Bale}, n., {Pallmall}.] 1. Any round or roundish body or mass; a sphere or globe; as, a ball of twine; a ball of snow. [1913 … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
ball cock — ball ,cock noun count a floating ball that opens and closes a VALVE, used for controlling a water supply, for example in a toilet … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
ball cock — ball′ cock n. bui hyd a device for regulating water in a tank, consisting of a valve connected to a floating ball that by its rise or fall shuts or opens the valve • Etymology: 1780–90 … From formal English to slang
ball cock — n. a device consisting of a valve connected by a lever to a floating ball that shuts the valve when raised and opens it when lowered, as in flush toilets … English World dictionary
ball cock — a device for regulating the supply of water in a tank, cistern, or the like, consisting essentially of a valve connected to a hollow floating ball which by its rise or fall shuts or opens the valve. Also, ballcock. [1780 90] * * * … Universalium
ball-cock — automatic valve consisting of a hollow floating ball which by its rising and falling shuts and opens the valve … English contemporary dictionary
ball cock — noun Date: 1790 an automatic valve whose opening and closing are controlled by a hollow float at the end of a lever … New Collegiate Dictionary
Cock — (k[o^]k), n. [AS. coc; of unknown origin, perh. in imitation of the cry of the cock. Cf. {Chicken}.] 1. The male of birds, particularly of gallinaceous or domestic fowls. [1913 Webster] 2. A vane in the shape of a cock; a weathercock. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Cock and bull story — Cock Cock (k[o^]k), n. [AS. coc; of unknown origin, perh. in imitation of the cry of the cock. Cf. {Chicken}.] 1. The male of birds, particularly of gallinaceous or domestic fowls. [1913 Webster] 2. A vane in the shape of a cock; a weathercock.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
