cuc

[ Cf. AS. scealfingstōl, a word of similar meaning, allied to scealfor a diver, mergus avis; or possibly from F. coquine a hussy, slut, jade, f. of coquin, OE. cokin, a rascal; or cf. Icel. k&unr_;ka to dung, k&unr_;kr dung, the name being given as to a disgracing or infamous punishment. ] A kind of chair formerly used for punishing scolds, and also dishonest tradesmen, by fastening them in it, usually in front of their doors, to be pelted and hooted at by the mob, but sometimes to be taken to the water and ducked; -- called also a castigatory, a tumbrel, and a trebuchet; and often, but not so correctly, a ducking stool. Sir. W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Cuckolded; p. pr. & vb. n. Cuckolding. ] To make a cuckold of, as a husband, by seducing his wife, or by her becoming an adulteress. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. kukeweld, cokewold, cokold, fr. OF. coucoul, cucuault, the last syllable being modified by the OE. suffix -wold (see Herald); cf. F. cocu a cuckold, formerly also, a cuckoo, and L. cuculus a cuckoo. The word alludes to the habit of the female cuckoo, who lays her eggs in the nests of other birds, to be hatched by them. ] 1. A man whose wife is unfaithful; the husband of an adulteress. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) (a) A West Indian plectognath fish (Ostracion triqueter). (b) The cowfish. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cuckold. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having the qualities of a cuckold; mean-spirited; sneaking. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of a cuckold; cuckolds, collectively. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being a cuckold; the practice of making cuckolds. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Naut.) A hitch or knot, by which a rope is secured to a spar, the two parts of the rope being crossed and seized together; -- called also cuckold's neck. Ham. Nav. Encyc. [ 1913 Webster ]