a. [f. COCK sb.1 + -ISH.]

1

  1.  Of or pertaining to a cock (obs.); now only humorous, cocklike.

2

1577.  B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., IV. (1586), 161. Such [Hens] as after the Cockishe maner either crowe or treade. Ibid., IV. 158. [Hens] free from spurres: for such as weare those Cockish weapons, are not good for broode.

3

  2.  Like a cock in disposition; strutting, self-assertive, assuming, cocky.

4

1546.  Bale, Eng. Votaries, II. (1550), 50 b. Bryngyng with hym the metropolycall mantell of Anselme, to augment hys cockysh autorite.

5

1589.  Nashe, Pasquil & Marforius, 15. In his Proem to his cokish conclusions.

6

c. 1690.  B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Cockish, wanton, uppish, forward.

7

  † 3.  Lecherous, wanton. Obs. or dial.

8

1570.  Levins, Manip., 145. Cockish, salax.

9

1598.  Florio, Galluta, a cockish wanton.

10

1847–78.  Halliwell, Cockish, wanton. North.

11

  Hence Cockishly adv.; Cockishness.

12

1563–87.  Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 532/1. You … which take upon you so cockishlie (rather than wiselie) to be a controller and maister moderatour of other mens matters.

13

1573.  G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (1884), 26. Whi, [they] uppon a meere cockishnes … in mi absenc flatly deniid me.

14

1598.  Florio, Galloria, cockishnes, iollity, mirth.

15

1727–31.  Bailey, Cockishness, uppishness.

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