Dictionary

turncock en · NOUN

Etymology

From turn + cock.

Meanings

1. A tap or faucet that regulates the flow of a fluid.
2. A person employed to turn on the water for the mains, to regulate the fireplugs, etc. for a water company.
   • 1,000 crossing-sweepers; another thousand chimney-sweeps, and the same number of turncocks and lamp-lighters; 1851, Henry Mayhew, “Costermongers”, in London Labour and the London Poor:

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