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Definition of: half-cock
(haf′kok′, häf′-) noun
The position of the hammer of a firearm when partly raised, but not releasable by the trigger.
—to go off at half–cock
1. To be discharged prematurely.
2. Hence, to act or speak hastily or without deliberation. Also to go off half–cocked.
—v.t. To raise the hammer of (a gun) to the position of half–cock.
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