Crocodile
['krɒkədaɪl] or ['krɑkə'daɪl]
Definition
(noun.) large voracious aquatic reptile having a long snout with massive jaws and sharp teeth and a body covered with bony plates; of sluggish tropical waters.
Inputed by Dan--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A large reptile of the genus Crocodilus, of several species. They grow to the length of sixteen or eighteen feet, and inhabit the large rivers of Africa, Asia, and America. The eggs, laid in the sand, are hatched by the sun's heat. The best known species is that of the Nile (C. vulgaris, or C. Niloticus). The Florida crocodile (C. Americanus) is much less common than the alligator and has longer jaws. The name is also sometimes applied to the species of other related genera, as the gavial and the alligator.
(n.) A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile.
Typed by Ann
Definition
n. a genus of large amphibious saurian reptiles including the crocodile of the Nile and also the alligators and gavials.—adj. and n. Crocodil′ian.—n. Crocodil′ity captious arguing.—Crocodile tears affected tears hypocritical grief—from the old story that crocodiles (which have large lachrymal glands) shed tears over the hard necessity of killing animals for food.
Inputed by Laura
Unserious Contents or Definition
As sure as you dream of this creature, you will be deceived by your warmest friends. Enemies will assail you at every turn. To dream of stepping on a crocodile's back, you may expect to fall into trouble, from which you will have to struggle mightily to extricate yourself. Heed this warning when dreams of this nature visit you. Avoid giving your confidence even to friends.
Inputed by Clara
Examples
- Another division was the crocodile branch, and another developed towards the tortoises and turtles. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Did you ever see a crocodile overcome? Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- The fat of the lion, hippopotamus, crocodile, goose, serpent, and wild goat, in equal parts, served as a prescription for baldness. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- It was a lady's hand-bag which stood upon the study table--a trim little handbag of crocodile-skin and silver. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- We had exhausted the crocodiles, and begun with the alligators, when the garden-bell rang. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Only the crocodiles and the turtles and tortoises carry on in any quantity into Cainozoic times. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- I had been reading to Peggotty about crocodiles. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
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