Meaning of cock-feather | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Feather on an arrow.
2. Tailfeather of a cock.

Examples

“Now place⟳ the Arrow on the string with the cock-feather uppermost, that is to say⟳, the further side from the Bow, and the other two will slide⟳ over it, without being rumpled or discomposed, but place⟳ the cock-feather downwards, or next the Bow and the feather will go directly upon it, which not only injures the feather very much, but very soon takes it off;”

“Take⟳ hold⟳ of your arrow by the middle, and place⟳ it under the string and over the bow, against which you hold⟳ it, by throwing the forefinger of your left hand over the pile or head of the arrow; then drawing your right hand back to its other end⟳, or nock, as it is called, you look⟳ for the cock-feather; this found, you let⟳ the arrow, held between your finger and thumb, slide⟳ down the bow, and you fix⟳ it, with the feather upwards, on that part of the string which is exactly opposite the top of the handle⟳.”

“Yet, surely it standeth with good reason⟳, to have⟳ the cock-feather black or grey, as it were to give⟳ a man warning to nock right.”

“Upon the head was placed the red cardinal's hat, adorned with a cock-feather, its cords and tassels iron⟳ chains hanging to the ground, while through the brim a pair of buck-horns extended their curved points.”

“The town was divided into two factions, one of which relied for support⟳ upon Switzerland, the other upon Savoy. The Eidgenossen wore in their hats a cock-feather, in the Swiss fashion; the Mamelukes, like⟳ the Savoyards, a sprig of holly.”

“and the Sergeant-at-Arms, a scarlet dress slashed with blue, blue surcoat, blue stockings, white shoes, and a hat with four feathers — one blue, one red, cock-feather, and eagle-red.”

CEFR level