Home UK English a-cock-bill

Meaning of a-cock-bill in English:

a-cock-bill

Pronunciation /əˈkɒkˌbɪl/

adverb

Nautical

  • Of an anchor: with the bills pointing upwards, as when it hangs from the cathead ready for dropping. Also of the yards of a vessel: at an angle with the deck.

Origin

Late 16th century; earliest use found in George Best (c1555–1584), explorer. From a + cock + bill.