Crocodile Meaning
/ˈkɹɑkədaɪl/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAny of the predatory amphibious reptiles of the family Crocodylidae; (loosely) a crocodilian, any species of the order Crocodilia, which also includes the alligators, caimans and gavials.
nounA long line or procession of people (especially children) walking together.
Sentence Examples
His leg was bitten by a crocodile.
Don't be taken in by her crocodile tears.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The huge ____ basked on the riverbank, its jaws slightly open.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His leg was bitten by a ____.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English cocodrill, cokadrill, cokedril, from Old French cocodril (modern French crocodile), from Medieval Latin cocodrillus, from Latin crocodilus, from Ancient Greek κροκόδειλος (krokódeilos). The word was later refashioned after the Latin and Greek forms. Doublet of krokodil.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Roman poet Horace states that the excrement of the crocodile has aphrodisiac virtues."
— 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 71:
"Industrial and rural expansion is shrinking and destroying the Nile crocodile's natural habitat. The Nile crocodiles, in particular, have been a source of highly durable leather for a variety of products which can be crafted and manufactured."
— 2005, Mwelwa Musambachime, Basic Facts on Zambia, page 97:
"Two species of crocodile inhabit Australian waterways: (a) the saltwater Crocodile — Crocodylus porosus, and (b) the freshwater crocodile — Crocodylus johnstoni."
— 2008, Walkter B. Wood, “Chapter 16: Forensic Identification in Fatal Crocodile Attacks”, in Marc Oxenham, editor, Forensic Approaches to Death, Disaster and Abuse, page 244:
"One contained some brightly-coloured tropical birds, one a python and the other a large and very lively crocodile.
I told the customer that the boxes containing the crocodile and the python were not packed to my satisfaction, as there were not enough nails securing them."
— 2011, Sam Thaker, The Crocodile's Teeth, page 31:
"Sometimes the kids from the slap-up boys' schools in Eastbourne used to be led round in crocodiles to hand out fags and peppermint creams to the 'wounded Tommies', as they called us."
— 1939, George Orwell, Coming Up for Air, part 2, chapter 8:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The huge ____ basked on the riverbank, its jaws slightly open.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His leg was bitten by a ____.