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.
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/, adjectiveWords nearby crocodile
Example sentences 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