crocodile UK /ˈkɹɒkədaɪl/US /ˈkɹɑkədaɪl/noun 4verb 1forms 3phrases 1 noun4 •Any 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.Two species of crocodile inhabit Australian waterways: (a) the saltwater Crocodile — Crocodylus porosus, and (b) the freshwater crocodile — Crocodylus johnstoni. — 2008 •A long line or procession of people (especially children) walking together.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 •(Philippines, figurative) greedy or corrupt person (especially a politician or any public official) •A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile.We have seen syllogisms, crocodiles, enthymemas, sorites, &c. explained and tried upon a boy of nine or ten years old in playful conversation[…] — 1798 verb1 •(slang) To speak another language than Esperanto at an Esperanto-language gathering. formscrocodiled · crocodiling · crocodiles Phrases with crocodile crocodile tearA tear shed insincerely, in a false display of sorrow or some other emotion.
