- half cock
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the position of the hammer of a firearm when held halfway between the firing and retracted positions by a mechanism so that it will not operate.[1695-1705]
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Universalium. 2010.
half cock
Look at other dictionaries:
half cock — half′ cock′ n. mil (on a firearm) the position of the hammer when held by the sear halfway between the firing and retracted positions so that the weapon cannot be fired • Etymology: 1695–1705 … From formal English to slang
half cock — n. the halfway position of the hammer of a firearm, when the trigger is locked and cannot be pulled … English World dictionary
half-cock — noun the partly raised position of the cock of a gun. Phrases at half cock when only partly ready. Derivatives half cocked adjective … English new terms dictionary
half cock — noun 1. : the position of the hammer of a firearm when about half retracted and held by the sear so that it cannot be operated by a pull on the trigger 2. : a state of inadequate preparation or mental confusion used with at the whole project went … Useful english dictionary
half cock — noun Date: 1745 1. the position of the hammer of a firearm when about half retracted and held by the sear so that it cannot be operated by a pull on the trigger 2. chiefly British a state of inadequate preparation or mental confusion < go off at… … New Collegiate Dictionary
half cock — see go off at half cock half 1 (11) … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
half-cock — /haf kok , hahf /, v.t. to set the hammer of (a firearm) at half cock. [1825 35] * * * … Universalium
half-cock — UK / US noun go off at half cock … English dictionary
half-cock — The position of the hammer of a firearm when about half retracted and held by the sear so that it cannot be operated by a normal pull of the trigger … Forensic science glossary
At half cock — Half Half (h[aum]f), a. [AS. healf, half, half; as a noun, half, side, part; akin to OS., OFries., & D. half, G. halb, Sw. half, Dan. halv, Icel. h[=a]lfr, Goth. halbs. Cf. {Halve}, {Behalf}.] 1. Consisting of a moiety, or half; as, a half… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
At half cock — Cock Cock, n. [It. cocca notch of an arrow.] 1. The notch of an arrow or crossbow. [1913 Webster] 2. The hammer in the lock of a firearm. [1913 Webster] {At cock}, {At full cock}, with the hammer raised and ready to fire; said of firearms, also,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
