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View synonyms for crocodile

crocodile

[ krok-uh-dahyl ]

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.


crocodile

/ ˈkrɒkəˌdaɪl /

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. informal.
    a line of people, esp schoolchildren, walking two by two


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Other Words From

  • croc·o·dil·oid [krok-, uh, -, dil, -oid, krok, -, uh, -dahy-loid], adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of crocodile1

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of crocodile1

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

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Example Sentences

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.

One of these heroes is an insect-loving contemporary of Charles Darwin, the other a crocodile-wrestling Steve Irwin acolyte.

The bags themselves were covetable items as ever, relying on highest-quality material: ostrich and crocodile.

The insatiable crocodile of Israeli colonialism is far too fat.

What we shall do if an Indian springs from behind the bushes, or a crocodile comes out of the sedge, I don't know.

As they looked toward the spot, the fearful head and jaws of a crocodile could be seen reaching up out of the water.

No Indian sprang from the bush, no crocodile came out of the sedge; and the river was crossed without one of them being drowned.

All at once, a crocodile appeared close to the boat, capsized it, and with open jaws was ready to devour the man.

Because in far distant times he saved the life of a Chinaman from the fury of a crocodile.

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