One of the mysteries of the English language finally explained.
1The crest or comb of a domestic cock.
- ‘The chef's favorite offal product, tripe, graces the menu, as do rubbery coxcombs (braised, with green chilies), and sweetbreads fried like chicken in a crunchy, salty batter.’
- ‘This pie would be one containing especially fine titbits such as cockscombs and sweetbreads.’
- ‘The museum owns two masks, which are similar to the present example; they are adorned with a cockscomb and horns but no chameleons.’
- ‘Joe - black skullcap, five red spikes sprouting like a deranged cockscomb from ear to ear - had spent the night at Sam's house.’
2A tropical plant with a crest of tiny yellow, orange, or red flowers, grown as a pot plant.
"Celosia cristata", family "Amaranthaceae"
- ‘Covered in dried flowers - such as cockscomb, bells of Ireland, and gomphrena - these wreaths pack visual punch on the front door or over the mantel.’
- ‘Flower stands are jam-packed with summer's best bouquets: dahlias, daisies, cockscombs and especially lilies of all sorts in mouth-watering colors.’
- ‘Plant hot weather annuals such as cockscomb, Madagascar periwinkle, portulaca, and annual salvias.’
3A brightly coloured orchid of southern North America, related to the coralroots.
Genus "Hexalectris", family "Orchidaceae"Also called coralroot
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