crocodile
[ krok-uh-dahyl ]
/ ˈkrɒk əˌdaɪl /
noun
any of several crocodilians of the genus Crocodylus, found in sluggish waters and swamps of the tropics.
any reptile of the order Crocodylia; crocodilian.
the tanned skin or hide of these animals, used in the manufacture of luggage and accessories, as belts, shoes, and wallets.
Chiefly British. a file of people, especially schoolchildren, out for a walk.
Archaic. a person who makes a hypocritical show of sorrow.
Words nearby crocodile
Origin of crocodile
1250–1300; < Latin crocodīlus < Greek krokódeilos crocodile, originally a kind of lizard, said to be equivalent to krók(ē) pebble + -o- -o- + drîlos, dreîlos worm (though attested only in sense “penis”), with r lost by dissimilation replacing Middle English cocodrille < Medieval Latin cocodrilus
OTHER WORDS FROM crocodile
croc·o·dil·oid [krok-uh-dil-oid, krok-uh-dahy-loid] /ˌkrɒk əˈdɪl ɔɪd, ˈkrɒk əˌdaɪ lɔɪd/, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for crocodile
British Dictionary definitions for crocodile
crocodile
/ (ˈkrɒkəˌdaɪl) /
noun
any large tropical reptile, such as C. niloticus (African crocodile), of the family Crocodylidae: order Crocodilia (crocodilians). They have a broad head, tapering snout, massive jaws, and a thick outer covering of bony plates
any other reptile of the order Crocodilia; a crocodilian
- leather made from the skin of any of these animals
- (as modifier)crocodile shoes
British informal a line of people, esp schoolchildren, walking two by two
Word Origin for crocodile
C13: via Old French, from Latin crocodīlus, from Greek krokodeilos lizard, ultimately from krokē pebble + drilos worm; referring to its fondness for basking on shingle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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