crocodile
[krok-uh-dahyl]
- 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.
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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for crocodile
Contemporary Examples
Winston Churchill once said “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile—hoping it will eat him last.”
On another trip, a defiant caiman (a South American crocodile) devours his mosquito net.
The bags themselves were covetable items as ever, relying on highest-quality material: ostrich and crocodile.
Luther drives a “crocodile green” Oldsmobile Toronado, “Its chrome grin stretched beguilingly and wide as the western horizon.”
Not since Crocodile Dundee graced our movie screens has a man from down under turned our world so upside down.
Historical Examples
"Now we'll soon be coming to the House of the Crocodile," said Allen.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
What can we then believe of those stories that have been told us of the crocodile?
The History of LouisianaLe Page Du Pratz
As is the mercy of the tears of the crocodile, so was the kindness of her looks.
I have not heard yet,” he said, “how it came about that you were seized by the crocodile.
The Cat of BubastesG. A. Henty
It seemed to me that the crocodile had seized her by the leg.
The Cat of BubastesG. A. Henty
crocodile
- 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
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Word Origin
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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Word Origin and History for crocodile
n.
1560s, restored spelling of Middle English cokedrille, kokedrille (c.1300), from Medieval Latin cocodrillus, from Latin crocodilus, from Greek krokodilos, word applied by Herodotus to the crocodile of the Nile, apparently due to its basking habits, from kroke "pebbles" + drilos "worm." The crocodile tears story was in English from at least c.1400.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper