full-cockedadj.
/ˌfʊlˈkɒkt/, U.S. /ˌfʊlˈkɑkt/ Of a firearm: having the cock (cock n.1 17) raised to the point from which it can be moved by pulling the trigger. Also designating the position of the cock when it is raised to this point. Cf. full cock n.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > [adjective] > cocked or half-cocked
cocked1650
full-cocked1786
half-cocked1848
1786 London Chron. 15 Aug. 163/2 Mr. Muller..was shewing a Gentleman some curious fire arms.., and drawing the trigger of a pistol full cocked, and loaded, without knowing it to be so, lodged the contents in the Gentleman's neck.
?1790 G. Villiers Old Hawthorn's Instr. Young Sportsmen (ESTC T230564) 4 Always return home with your piece loaded; and on putting it by, be sure it is full-cocked; you are then ready for the next excursion in an instant.
1850 Glasgow Herald 26 Aug. He wields his full-cocked gun as carelessly as if it were a shillelagh!
1899 Royal Mag. July 191/2 The young man let the cheque flutter slowly to the counter, as he peered into the ugly black muzzle of a full-cocked pistol.
1909 H. R. Haggard Yellow God viii. 134 He brought the muzzle of the full-cocked, double-barrelled gun into sharp contact with that part of the terrified porter's anatomy.
1939 Jrnl. Amer. Mil. Inst. 3 259 One notch checking the fall of the hammer and another holding it in full cocked position.
1990 J. Sandford Shadow Prey xi. 157 Lily went into her belly with her right hand..and came out with the full-cocked .45.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1786