stopcockn.
/ˈstɒpkɒk/, U.S. /ˈstɑpˌkɑk/ a. A tap or short pipe furnished with a valve operated from the outside by turning a key or handle, for the purpose of stopping or permitting as required the passage of liquid, air, steam, gas or the like. (Sometimes also applied to the key or handle by which the valve is turned.)
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society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > control(s) > [noun] > valve
cockc1483
window1576
stopcock1584
register1612
shut1651
valve1659
flap1824
shut-off1869
stop-tap1895
stop-gate1902
1584 in J. C. Tingey Rec. City of Norwich (1910) II. 393 The sayd maynepype and pypes, systerne, cockes and stopcockes.
1662 H. More Antidote against Atheism (ed. 3) ii. ii. 44 in Coll. Philos. Writings (ed. 2) Apply a tapering Valve of brass to the lower branch of the Stop-cock of the Receiver well emptied of Aire, as before, and turn the Key of the Stop-cock.
1664 S. Pepys Diary 25 Dec. (1971) V. 356 Some family offences; such as my having of a stopcock to keep the water from them.
1755 Gentleman's Mag. Nov. 494/1 At one end of this cylinder there is screwed a pneumatic gun..furnished with a stop-cock, to be used occasionally.
1790 Act 30 Geo. III c. 21 §1 Such Pipes, Stop Cocks, Plugs [etc.].
1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm II. 209 The common stop-cock, with a lengthened tail passing downward.
1894 Times 12 July 14/1 The stopcock..was placed in the service pipe leading from the water main into the adjoining house.
b. attributive.
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1797 J. Curr Coal Viewer 63 2 Feeding cocks made in the stop cock way, with a hole in the key to turn by hand occasionally.
1857 W. A. Miller Elements Chem. III. 21 The stop~cock tube, c, is connected with an exhausting syringe.
1901 Westm. Gaz. 21 Feb. 2/3 The consumers..are to be compelled to put ‘stop-cock’ boxes in the pavements outside their houses.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1584