conk
Preserved but no longer current.
A nose. Possibly from the Latin, CONCHA, a shell. Greek, κόγχη—hence anything hollow. Somewhat of a parallel may be found in the Latin, TESTA, an earthenware pot, a shell, and in later Latin, a skull; from whence the French TESTE, or TÊTE, head. CONKY, having a projecting or remarkable nose. The first Duke of Wellington was frequently termed "Old CONKY" in satirical papers and caricatures.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “conk” mean?
A nose. Possibly from the Latin, CONCHA, a shell. Greek, κόγχη—hence anything hollow. Somewhat of a parallel may be found in the Latin, TESTA, an earthenware pot, a shell, and in later Latin, a skull; from whence the French TESTE, or TÊTE, head. CONKY, having a projecting or remarkable nose. The first Duke of Wellington was frequently termed "Old CONKY" in satirical papers and caricatures.
Is “conk” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.