[cock.ney] n, pl cockneys [ME cokeney, lit., cocks' egg, fr. coken (gen. pl. of cok cock) + ey egg, fr. OE aeg] (14c) 1 obs a: a spoiled child b: a squeamish woman
2. often cap a: a native of London and esp. of the East End of London b: the dialect of London or of the East End of London -- cockney adj -- cock.ney.fy vt -- cock.ney.ish adj -- cock.ney.ism n