from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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. (Zool.) 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.
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2. In common usage, the species in general or collectively; a
peafowl.
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{Peacock butterfly} (Zool.), a handsome European butterfly
({Hamadryas Io}) having ocelli like those of peacock.
{Peacock fish} (Zool.), the European blue-striped wrasse
({Labrus variegatus}); -- so called on account of its
brilliant colors. Called also {cook wrasse} and {cook}.
{Peacock pheasant} (Zool.), any one of several species of
handsome Asiatic pheasants of the genus {Polyplectron}.
They resemble the peacock in color.
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