coxcombical

English

Etymology

From coxcomb +‎ -ical.

Adjective

coxcombical (comparative more coxcombical, superlative most coxcombical)

1. Like, or in the style of, a coxcomb.

   Synonyms: buckish, dandyish; see also Thesaurus:foppish

   • 1857, John Benwell, An Englishman's Travels in America‎:

     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.

   • 1903, William Godwin, Caleb Williams‎:

     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.

   • 1907, John Morley, Studies in Literature‎:

     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.

Derived terms

• coxcombicality
• coxcombically