croc‧o‧dile /ˈkrɒkədaɪl $ ˈkrɑː-/ noun
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: cocodrille, from Latin crocodilus, from Greek, 'lizard, crocodile', from kroke 'small stone' + drilos 'worm']

1. [countable] a large reptile with a long mouth and many sharp teeth that lives in lakes and rivers in hot wet parts of the world ⇒ alligator

2. [uncountable] the skin of this animal, used for making things such as shoes:
a crocodile briefcase

3. [countable] British English a long line of people, especially school children, walking in pairs

4. crocodile tears if someone sheds crocodile tears, they seem sad, sorry, or upset, but they do not really feel this way

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲