coxcombical
adjEtymology From coxcomb + -ical.
1
Like, or in the style of, a coxcomb.
- The majority of these idlers were impudent-looking braggarts, who, with jaunty air and coxcombical show of superiority, endeavoured to enforce their own opinions, and to silence those of every one else.1857, John Benwell, An Englishman's Travels in America:
- Marlow is a coxcombical prig, that is the truth on't; and if a man will expose himself, why, he must even take what follows.1903, William Godwin, Caleb Williams:
1 more example
- Of Wordsworth's demeanour and physical presence, De Quincey's account, silly, coxcombical, and vulgar, is the worst; Carlyle's, as might be expected from his magical gift of portraiture, is the best.1907, John Morley, Studies in Literature:
- Derived terms
- coxcombicality, coxcombically