E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| Coxcomb. | |
An empty-headed, vain person. The ancient licensed jesters were so called because they wore a cocks comb in their caps. | 1 |
|
Coxcombs, an ever empty race, |
Are trumpets of their own disgrace. | |
|
|
|
Let me hire him too; heres my coxcomb. | |
|
|
Shakespeare: King Lear, i. 4. |
|
The Prince of Coxcombs. Charles Joseph, Prince de Ligne. (15351614.) | 2 |
Richard II. of England is sometimes called the Coxcomb. (1366, 13771400.) | 3 |
Henri III. of France was called le Mignon, which means pretty well the same thing. (1551, 15741589.) | 4 |
|
|
|