Hypertext Webster Gateway: "halfcock"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Halfcock \Half"cock`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Halfcocked}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Halfcocking}.]
To set the cock of (a firearm) at the first notch.
{To go off halfcocked}.
(a) To be discharged prematurely, or with the trigger at half
cock; -- said of a firearm.
(b) To do or say something without due thought or care.
[Colloq. or Low]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
half-cock
n : confusion resulting from lack of preparation
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