1. Any basslike fish of the genus Centropomus, esp. C. undecimalis, inhabiting waters off Florida and the West Indies and south to Brazil, valued as food and game. Any of several related marine fishes. (Origin: 1690–1700; < Dutch snoek)
2. A gesture of defiance, disrespect, or derision. Idiom: cock a snook or cock one's snook, to thumb the nose: a painter who cocks a snook at traditional techniques. Also, cock a snoot. (Origin: 1875–80; orig. uncert.)
1. Any basslike fish of the genus Centropomus, esp. C. undecimalis, inhabiting waters off Florida and the West Indies and south to Brazil, valued as food and game.
Any of several related marine fishes.
(Origin: 1690–1700; < Dutch snoek)
2. A gesture of defiance, disrespect, or derision.
Idiom: cock a snook or cock one's snook, to thumb the nose: a painter who cocks a snook at traditional techniques. Also, cock a snoot.
(Origin: 1875–80; orig. uncert.)