crocodile

croc·o·dile

noun \ˈkrä-kə-ˌdī(-ə)l\

Definition of CROCODILE

1

a : any of several large carnivorous thick-skinned long-bodied aquatic reptiles (family Crocodylidae) of tropical and subtropical waters; broadly : crocodilian b : the skin or hide of a crocodile

2

chiefly British : a line of people (as schoolchildren) usually walking in pairs

Illustration of CROCODILE

Origin of CROCODILE

Middle English & Latin; Middle English cocodrille, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin cocodrillus, alteration of Latin crocodilus, from Greek krokodilos lizard, crocodile, from krokē shingle, pebble + drilos worm; akin to Sanskrit śarkara pebble

First Known Use: 1555

Rhymes with CROCODILE

Anglophile, country mile, cyclostyle, domicile, family style, Francophile, Gallophile, hypostyle, in denial, juvenile, projectile, rat-tail file, rank and file, single file, statute mile