Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Cockney

Cock′ney

(kŏk′ny̆)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Cockneys
(-nĭz)
.
[OE.
cocknay
,
cokenay
, a spoiled child, effeminate person, an egg; prob. orig. a cock’s egg, a small imperfect egg; OE.
cok
cock +
nay
,
neye
, for
ey
egg (cf.
Newt
), AS.
æg
. See 1st
Cock
,
Egg
,
Noun.
]
1.
An effeminate person; a spoilt child.
“A young heir or cockney, that is his mother's darling.”
Nash (1592).
This great lubber, the world, will prove a
cockney
.
Shakespeare
A
cockney
in a rural village was stared at as much as if he had entered a kraal of Hottentots.
Macaulay.

Cock′ney

,
Adj.
Of or relating to, or like, cockneys.

Webster 1828 Edition


Cockney

COCKNEY

, n.
1.
A native of London, by way of contempt.
2.
An effeminate, ignorant, despicable citizen.

Definition 2024


Cockney

Cockney

See also: cockney

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

Cockney (not comparable)

  1. From the East End of London, or London generally

Noun

Cockney (plural Cockneys)

  1. (Britain slang) Any Londoner.
  2. (Britain) A Londoner born within earshot of the city's Bow Bells, or (now generically) any working-class Londoner.
    • 1617, Fynes Moryson, An Itinerary
      Londoners, and all within the sound of Bow Bell, are in reproach called Cockneys.
    • 1617, John Minsheu, Ductor in Linguas
      A Cockney or Cocksie, applied only to one born within the sound of Bow bell, that is in the City of London.

Proper noun

Cockney

  1. The dialect or accent of such Londoners.

Derived terms

cockney

cockney

See also: Cockney

English

Alternative forms

Noun

cockney (plural cockneys)

  1. a native or inhabitant of parts of the East End of London
    • Macaulay
      A cockney in a rural village was stared at as much as if he had entered a kraal of Hottentots.
  2. the accent and speech mannerisms of these people
  3. (obsolete) An effeminate person; a spoilt child.
    • 1592, Nash
      a young heir or cockney, that is his mother's darling
    • Shakespeare
      This great lubber, the world, will prove a cockney.

Translations

Usage notes

  • Traditionally, applies only to those born within earshot of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside

Adjective

cockney (not comparable)

  1. of, or relating to these people or their accent

Derived terms


French

Noun

cockney m (plural cockneys)

  1. cockney

Portuguese

Noun

cockney m f (plural cockneys)

  1. cockney (a native or inhabitant of parts of the East End of London)

Noun

cockney m (uncountable)

  1. cockney (English dialect of the White lower class of London)