Cobbards, O. E. The irons supporting a spit.
Cob-wall, Arch. A wall formed of unburned clay mixed with straw.
Cochineal. (See Carmine.)
Cochineal Lakes. (See Carminated Lakes.)
Cochlea (κοχλίας, i. e. a snail with spiral shell). Any object of spiral shape, like a screw; and so a worm and screw as a mechanical power in oil-, wine-, &c. presses; the “Archimedean Screw,” or “water-snail” for raising water; the revolving door through which the wild beasts were let out into the amphitheatre; and other contrivances similar to the Italian ruota, by which persons can be introduced through a wall without opening a door; also a spiral staircase, &c.
Cochlear, Cochleare (from κόχλος, a shell-fish). (1) A spoon having at one extremity a sharp point, and at the other a sort of small bowl. (2) A measure of capacity of very small size.
Cochlearium, R. A pond or nursery for fattening snails for the table. (English “cockles.”)
Cochlis, sc. columna (κοχλὶς, i. e. lit. a snail). A hollow monumental column, the interior of which was fitted with a cockle or spiral staircase, like the “Monument” of London.
Cock. In Christian art, the emblem of St. Peter, and of watchfulness.
Cockatrice. In Christian art, the emblem of sin; attribute of St. Vitus. (Her.: see the illustration to Basilisk.)