crocodiles

Noun

crocodile (plural crocodiles)

1. 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.
   • 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

   Synonyms:

   croc, cockatrice

2. 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, George Orwell, Coming Up for Air, part 2, chapter 8
3. 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, Maria Edgeworth, Practical Education
4. (Philippines, figuratively) greedy or corrupt person (especially a politician or any public official)

See all 5 meanings of crocodile