Firecock

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A male bird that is known for its vibrant colors and loud calls often associated with waking at dawn; a historic term for a hydrant or valve used to control the flow of water in firefighting; a mythical or symbolic figure representing fiery spirit or aggression in folklore
2. A rooster recognized for its bright plumage and crowing at daybreak; a nozzle or outlet on a water supply system designed for fire emergencies; a legendary creature or emblem depicting intense energy and combativeness in stories
3. A brightly colored male bird commonly identified by its early morning vocalization; a device installed in plumbing to release water rapidly during fire incidents; a cultural icon symbolizing passion and defiance in traditional narratives

Etymology: "Firecock" is a compound of "fire" and "cock," and its oldest sense has nothing to do with birds. A "cock" in the sense of a valve or tap for controlling the flow of liquid or gas has been around in English for centuries, and a firecock was a fire-fighting tap fitted to a water main or pipe. The term first appears in the early 18th century, in acts of Parliament, where it names a device for drawing water in an emergency. The bird meaning came later and is the older, more familiar sense in popular usage. Roosters were prized for their glowing plumage, and their crowing at dawn gave them a dramatic reputation. The word's two senses share a sense of fire and vigour, so the fire-fighting fitting and the fiery rooster reached the same associations by different routes. The third sense, a legendary creature or emblem of intense energy and combativeness, extends the bird imagery into myth and heraldry. Here the word is used figuratively to suggest fierce, fiery spirit.

Synonyms: fire hydrant, fire valve, fireplug, hydrant