Used in a Sentence

peacock

Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for peacock.

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Editorial note

Which isn't to say that nonfunctional selection criteria cannot be at play (the peacock's tail is a common example).

Examples18
Definitions4
Parts of speech1

Quick take

A male peafowl, especially Pavo cristatus, notable for its brilliant iridescently ocellated tail.

Meaning at a glance

The clearest senses and uses of peacock gathered in one view.

noun

A male peafowl, especially Pavo cristatus, notable for its brilliant iridescently ocellated tail.

noun

A peafowl (of the genus Pavo or Afropavo), either male or female.

noun

A pompous or vainglorious person [from the 14th c.].

Definitions

Core meanings and parts of speech for peacock.

noun

A male peafowl, especially Pavo cristatus, notable for its brilliant iridescently ocellated tail.

See also: peacock-butterfly, inachis-io

Example sentences

1

Which isn't to say that nonfunctional selection criteria cannot be at play (the peacock's tail is a common example).

2

Sexual selection can be much more powerful than ordinary survival selection (see: peacock tails).

3

Quotes and impersonations are an evolutionary development akin to a peacock spreading his feathers?

4

It's a systemic software industry issue, a peacock game we're expected to play in order to get ahead.

5

I just reloaded and the last three pictures (cat, car, peacock) all had their vibrant color change.

6

The point of signalling is to prove fitness - the peacock can afford to carry around a huge tail because he is fit enough.

7

Their eyes also play a huge part in their mating as not only do they peacock into the UV range, but they also actively fluoresce when mating.

8

It might be advantageous for any given peacock to have a bigger, flashier, and more cumbersome tail than the next peacock, but the arms race makes it ever more certain that the peacocks will go extinct if a new predator shows up.

9

The robin, armadillo, centipede, peacock, and bubble all actually have a little swirl of features that - to me at least - resemble the labels provided.

10

If we reject the author's claim that the purpose and value of advertising is solely a signalling mechanism similar to a peacock's feathers, then the entire argument fails.

11

> ubiquitous, functional, and necessary I think it's like the plumage of the male peacock.

12

That is, a peacock with better plumage might get more chances of reproducing due to sexual selection, but as long as he gets at least one chance of reproduction, he has not been selected against.

Quote examples

1

The "peacock" interpretation is funny and went unnoticed by me.

2

Do people who use this call it "peacock" or "pico see"?

3

Whiteness of teeth and eyes are biological markers of being a good potential mate with [currently] good health and [presumably] strong immune system (evolutionary "hints" of having "good genes"), an analogy of peacock's tail.

4

I thought the author was trying to ingratiate himself with people who use "privilege" as if it were an actually smart thing to say, even though he mocks those same people ("Normally I consider the use of the word 'privilege' in a conversation to be the brilliant peacock plumage that identifies a third-rate pseudo-intellectual from ten paces away").

Proper noun examples

1

Latin American Peacock/Party central centered on appearances and flaunting with businesses and startups catering to that...

2

Peacock tails seem pretty stupid, too - but they have a purpose.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.

How do you use peacock in a sentence?

Which isn't to say that nonfunctional selection criteria cannot be at play (the peacock's tail is a common example).

What does peacock mean?

A male peafowl, especially Pavo cristatus, notable for its brilliant iridescently ocellated tail.

What part of speech is peacock?

peacock is commonly used as noun.