cockhorse
See also: cock-horse
English
Alternative forms
Adjective
cockhorse (comparative more cockhorse, superlative most cockhorse)
- Lifted up, as one is on a tall horse.
- (figuratively) Lofty in feeling; exultant, proud, upstart.
- 1598, George Chapman, “Sixth Sestyad”, in Christopher Marlo[w]e, George Chapman, Hero and Leander: […], London: […] A[ugustine] M[atthews] for Richard Hawkins: […], published 1629, →OCLC:
- [Y]et I needs muſt ſee / Our painted fooles and cockehorſe peſſantry, / Still ſtill vſurpe, with long liues, loues and luſt, / The feats of vertue; […]
Noun
cockhorse (plural cockhorses)
- (archaic) A child's rocking horse.
- a. 1744, unknown author, Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross (traditional nursery rhymes)
- Ride a cockhorse to Banbury cross.
- a. 1744, unknown author, Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross (traditional nursery rhymes)
Derived terms
References
- “cockhorse”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.