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crocodile

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Definition of crocodile

noun

1a large predatory semiaquatic reptile with long jaws, long tail, short legs, and a horny textured skin.
- Family Crocodylidae: three genera, in particular Crocodylus, and several species
[mass noun] leather made from crocodile skin, used especially to make bags and shoes.

2British informal a line of schoolchildren walking in pairs.

Origin:

Middle English cocodrille, cokadrill, from Old French cocodrille, via medieval Latin from Latin crocodilus, from Greek krokodilos 'worm of the stones', from krokē 'pebble' + drilos 'worm'. The spelling was changed in the 16th century to conform with the Latin and Greek forms

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