Cocked head

Posted by R. Berg on November 22, 2001 at

In Reply to: The meaning of cocked head posted by Heleno on November 22, 2001

: I'd like to know the meaning of the expression: cocked head.
: Phrase in context: Example: What you're missing is the educated touch, the 'cocked head' of a real doctor listening to your heartbeat, listening for your spirit.
: Thanks.

"Cocked head" isn't a common expression. The writer of that sentence used the phrase in describing the personal attention that a patient receives under good medical care, by creating a mental image of a doctor whose body language suggests that he or she is listening thoughtfully to the patient. That is, the doctor's head is tilted slightly to one side.