Meacocks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A man who outwardly displays excessive timidity or submissiveness ; one who behaves in an overly meek or cowardly manner ; someone characterized by a conspicuous lack of courage or assertiveness
  2. Someone who exhibits such notable meekness or cowardliness that it becomes a defining personal trait ; a person whose demeanor is marked by extreme docility or lack of fortitude ; an individual excessively lacking in boldness or backbone
  3. An individual whose manner suggests pronounced submission or spinelessness ; someone persistently passive to the point of being considered weak ; a person habitually displaying craven or unassertive tendencies

Etymology: The noun in question is an archaic plural form of "meacock," a word that originally described a particular kind of person rather than any literal bird. "Meacock" itself came into English usage during the Middle Ages, around the late 14th or early 15th century, and was used to denote a cowardly or effeminate man. The term carried a strongly negative connotation and was often employed as an insult. The etymology traces back to the Middle English "meacock," which is a blend of "mea," a variant of "meek" meaning gentle or submissive, and "cock," a term for a male bird, especially a rooster. This pairing was intended ironically, as a cock typically symbolizes bravery and pride, while "meek" suggested timidity. Thus, "meacock" came to mean someone who lacked the boldness or assertiveness expected of a man, effectively a "meek cock." Over time, the word faded from common usage but left traces in literature from the medieval and early modern periods. The plural form "meacocks" would have simply referred to multiple such individuals, often in a derisive sense. The term’s history reflects social attitudes towards gender roles and courage in earlier English society. While "meacock" and its plural never evolved into everyday vocabulary, they remain a vivid example of how animal symbolism and human character traits intertwined in English insults, particularly during the Middle Ages.

Synonyms: peacocks, male peafowl

Antonyms: peahens, female peafowl