- petcock
- noun Etymology: pet- (perhaps from petty) + cock Date: circa 1864 a small cock, faucet, or valve for releasing a gas (as air) or draining
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
petcock
Look at other dictionaries:
petcock — 1864, from COCK (Cf. cock) (n.2); the signification of the first element is uncertain … Etymology dictionary
petcock — [pet′käk΄] n. [< obs. pet (< Fr: see PETARD) + COCK1] a small faucet or valve used in draining unwanted or excess water or air from pipes, radiators, boilers, etc … English World dictionary
Petcock — A petcock is a small valve used to control the flow of liquid or gas. Although petcocks are used in a wide variety of applications, the following passage will describe one of the most common applications of the petcock which is the control of… … Wikipedia
petcock — A small valve or tap which is used to control the flow of liquid. You may find one at the bottom of a radiator to permit draining the radiator. A petcock may also be found on the line coming from the fuel tank in small engines and motorcycles. It … Dictionary of automotive terms
petcock — /pet kok /, n. a small valve or faucet, as for draining off excess or waste material from the cylinder of a steam engine or an internal combustion engine. Also, pet cock. [1860 65; pet, perh. < F pet (see PETARD) + COCK1] * * * … Universalium
petcock — noun A small valve, spout, or faucet operated by hand, usually used to release pressure or drain fluid … Wiktionary
petcock — n. small valve or faucet used used to drain off waste material or reduce pressure … English contemporary dictionary
petcock — noun a small valve in a pipe or cylinder for drainage or testing … English new terms dictionary
petcock — pet•cock [[t]ˈpɛtˌkɒk[/t]] n. bui a small valve or faucet, as for draining off excess or waste material from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine • Etymology: 1860–65; pet, perh. < F pet (see petard) +cock I … From formal English to slang
petcock — /ˈpɛtkɒk/ (say petkok) noun a small valve or tap, as for draining off excess or waste material from the cylinder of a steam engine or for checking the water level in a boiler. {pet(ty) + cock1} …
