peacock

Etymology

From Middle English pecok, pekok, pocok, pacok, equivalent to pea (“peafowl; peacock”) +‎ cock. Compare Old Norse páfugl (“peacock”, literally “pea-fowl”), and English peahen, peachick, etc.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈpikɑk/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpiːkɒk/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

peacock (plural peacocks)

1. A male peafowl with brilliant blue or green iridescent tails.
2. A peafowl, either male or female.
3. A vainglorious person [14th c.]
4. A male or female pheasant of the two genera: Pavo or Afropavo, whose males have extravagant tails.