Pēa'cŏck, n.

n. [Pea, in this word, is from A-S. pāwa, Lat. pavo, It. pavone, Sp. pavon, Fr. paon, Pr. pao, paho, pau, D. paauw, Ger. pfau, O. Eng. po, poo.]

1. (Ornith.) The male of a gallinaceous fowl (Pavo cristatus), about the size of the turkey. The rump feathers are long and capable of being erected, and each is marked with a black spot, around which brilliant metallic colors are arranged.
2. In common but improper usage, the species in general; the peafowl.