crocodile








noun

  1. any of several crocodilians of the genus Crocodylus, found in sluggish waters and swamps of the tropics.
  2. any reptile of the order Crocodylia; crocodilian.
  3. the tanned skin or hide of these animals, used in the manufacture of luggage and accessories, as belts, shoes, and wallets.
  4. Chiefly British. a file of people, especially schoolchildren, out for a walk.
  5. Archaic. a person who makes a hypocritical show of sorrow.

noun

  1. 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
  2. any other reptile of the order Crocodilia; a crocodilian
    1. leather made from the skin of any of these animals
    2. (as modifier)crocodile shoes
  3. British informal a line of people, esp schoolchildren, walking two by two
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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