'Four-way cock' definitions:

Definition of 'Four-way cock'

From: GCIDE

Four-way \Four"-way`\, a. Allowing passage in either of four directions; as, a four-way cock, or valve. --Francis. [1913 Webster]
Four-way cock, a cock connected with four pipes or ports, and having two or more passages in the plug, by which the adjacent pipes or ports may be made to communicate; formerly used as a valve in the steam engine, and now for various other purposes. In the illustration, a leads to the upper end of a steam engine cylinder, and b to the lower end; c is the steam pipe, and d the exhaust pipe. [1913 Webster]