資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Peacock \Pea"cock`\, n. [OE. pecok. Pea- in this word is from
AS. pe['a], p[=a]wa, peacock, fr. L. pavo, prob. of Oriental
origin; cf. Gr. ?, ?, Per. t[=a]us, t[=a]wus, Ar. t[=a]wu?s.
See {Cock} the bird.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The male of any pheasant of the genus {Pavo},
of which at least two species are known, native of
Southern Asia and the East Indies.
Note: The upper tail coverts, which are long and capable of
erection, are each marked with a black spot bordered by
concentric bands of brilliant blue, green, and golden
colors. The common domesticated species is {Pavo
cristatus}. The Javan peacock ({P. muticus}) is more
brilliantly colored than the common species.
2. In common usage, the species in general or collectively; a
peafowl.
{Peacock butterfly} (Zo["o]l.), a handsome European butterfly
({Hamadryas Io}) having ocelli like those of peacock.
{Peacock fish} (Zo["o]l.), the European blue-striped wrasse
({Labrus variegatus}); -- so called on account of its
brilliant colors. Called also {cook wrasse} and {cook}.
{Peacock pheasant} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
handsome Asiatic pheasants of the genus {Polyplectron}.
They resemble the peacock in color.