What is another word for weathercocks?

Pronunciation: [wˈɛðəkˌɒks] (IPA)

Weathercocks, also known as weather vanes, are a common sight atop buildings and structures. These devices are used to show the direction of the wind and are often shaped like animals or arrows. Other synonyms for weathercocks include wind vanes, weathercock vanes, and roof vanes. Wind indicators and windicators may be used to describe similar devices used in various settings such as sailing. The function and design of these instruments have varied throughout history, taking on cultural, religious, and symbolic meaning. Regardless of their form or function, weathercocks remain an important tool for monitoring weather conditions in many regions.

What are the hypernyms for Weathercocks?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.
  • Other hypernyms:

    wind vanes, weather vanes, vane-weather indicators.

Usage examples for Weathercocks

Part of the roof of the old house had fallen in, the windows were shattered, the panels of the doors broken, and mended with rough boards; and there were two rusty weathercocks at the ends of the house, which made a great jingling and whistling as they whirled about, but always pointed wrong.
"Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists"
Washington Irving
In his house by the Maese, with its roof of tiles, And weathercocks flying aloft in air, There are silver tankards of antique styles, Plunder of convent and castle, and piles Of carpets rich and rare.
"The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The roof was surmounted by two weathercocks: one displaying the eagle of Russia, and the other the eagle of France.
"Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, v10"
Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne

Famous quotes with Weathercocks

  • What vain weathercocks we are! I, who had determined to hold myself independent of all social intercourse, and thanked my stars that at length I had lighted on a spot where it was next to impracticable. I, weak wretch, after maintaining till dusk a struggle with low spirits and solitude, was finally compelled to strike my colours; and under pretence of gaining information concerning the necessities of my establishment, I desired Mrs. Dean.
    Emily Brontë
  • The earth with yellow pears And overgrown with roses wild Upon the pond is bent, And swans divine, With kisses drunk You drop your heads In the sublimely sobering water. But where, with winter come, am I To find, alas, the floweres, and where The sunshine And the shadow of the world? Cold the walls stand And the wordless, in the wind The weathercocks are rattling.
    Friedrich Hölderlin

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