† 1. A stop-cock of which the plug is turned to open or close it. Obs.
1702. Savery, Miner’s Friend, 42. At every Floor there may be a turn-cock with a Skrew.
1755. Hales, in Phil. Trans., XLIX. 320. When, by means of a turn-cock, a gallon of water was two minutes in running, then the heat was 140.
2. A water-works official entrusted with the turning on of the water from the mains to supply-pipes, etc.
1711. in Halliwell, Acc. Collect. Bills, etc. (1852), 27. Christmas Boxes,… Turncock, 2s. 6d.
1791. ‘G. Gambado,’ Ann. Horsem., xvii. (1809), 139. No Turncocks to be found—all the Water at a stop.
1863. Dickens, Uncomm. Trav., xxi. A meditative turncock … gives the fire-plug a disparaging wrench.
1875. Ruskin, Fors Clav., V. 56. The turncock … turned and turned till a fountain sprang up in the middle of the street.
