catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Peacock \Pea"cock`\ (p[=e]"k[o^]k`), n. [OE. pecok. Pea- in this
     word is from AS. pe['a], p[=a]wa, peacock, fr. L. pavo, prob.
     of Oriental origin; cf. Gr. taw`s, taw^s, Per. t[=a]us,
     t[=a]wus, Ar. t[=a]w[=u]s. See Cock the bird.]
     1. (Zo["o]l.) The male of any pheasant of the genus Pavo,
        of which at least two species are known, native of
        Southern Asia and the East Indies.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The upper tail coverts, which are long and capable of
           erection, are each marked with a black spot bordered by
           concentric bands of brilliant blue, green, and golden
           colors. The common domesticated species is Pavo
           cristatus. The Javan peacock ({Pavo muticus}) is more
           brilliantly colored than the common species.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. In common usage, the species in general or collectively; a
        peafowl.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Peacock butterfly (Zo["o]l.), a handsome European butterfly
        ({Hamadryas Io) having ocelli like those of peacock.
  
     Peacock fish (Zo["o]l.), the European blue-striped wrasse
        ({Labrus variegatus); -- so called on account of its
        brilliant colors. Called also cook wrasse and cook.
  
     Peacock pheasant (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
        handsome Asiatic pheasants of the genus Polyplectron.
        They resemble the peacock in color.
        [1913 Webster]

  Peacock \Pea"cock`\, n. [OE. pecok. Pea- in this word is from
     AS. pe['a], p[=a]wa, peacock, fr. L. pavo, prob. of Oriental
     origin; cf. Gr. ?, ?, Per. t[=a]us, t[=a]wus, Ar. t[=a]wu?s.
     See Cock the bird.]
     1. (Zo["o]l.) The male of any pheasant of the genus Pavo,
        of which at least two species are known, native of
        Southern Asia and the East Indies.
  
     Note: The upper tail coverts, which are long and capable of
           erection, are each marked with a black spot bordered by
           concentric bands of brilliant blue, green, and golden
           colors. The common domesticated species is Pavo
           cristatus. The Javan peacock ({P. muticus}) is more
           brilliantly colored than the common species.
  
     2. In common usage, the species in general or collectively; a
        peafowl.
  
     Peacock butterfly (Zo["o]l.), a handsome European butterfly
        ({Hamadryas Io) having ocelli like those of peacock.
  
     Peacock fish (Zo["o]l.), the European blue-striped wrasse
        ({Labrus variegatus); -- so called on account of its
        brilliant colors. Called also cook wrasse and cook.
  
     Peacock pheasant (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
        handsome Asiatic pheasants of the genus Polyplectron.
        They resemble the peacock in color.