資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Crocodile \Croc"o*dile\ (kr?k"?-d?l; 277), n. [L. crocodilus,
Gr. ?????: cf. F. crocodile. Cf. {Cookatrice}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A large reptile of the genus {Crocodilus}, of
several species. They grow to the length of sixteen or
eighteen feet, and inhabit the large rivers of Africa,
Asia, and America. The eggs, laid in the sand, are hatched
by the sun's heat. The best known species is that of the
Nile ({C. vulgaris}, or {C. Niloticus}). The Florida
crocodile ({C. Americanus}) is much less common than the
alligator and has longer jaws. The name is also sometimes
applied to the species of other related genera, as the
gavial and the alligator.
2. (Logic) A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have
been first used by a crocodile.
{Crocodile bird} (Zo["o]l.), an African plover ({Pluvianus
[ae]gypticus}) which alights upon the crocodile and
devours its insect parasites, even entering its open mouth
(according to reliable writers) in pursuit of files, etc.;
-- called also {Nile bird}. It is the {trochilos} of
ancient writers.
{Crocodile tears}, false or affected tears; hypocritical
sorrow; -- derived from the fiction of old travelers, that
crocodiles shed tears over their prey.
Crow \Crow\, n. [AS. cr?we a crow (in sense 1); akin to D.
kraai, G. kr?e; cf. Icel. kr?ka crow. So named from its cry,
from AS. cr?wan to crow. See {Crow}, v. i. ]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A bird, usually black, of the genus {Corvus},
having a strong conical beak, with projecting bristles. It
has a harsh, croaking note. See {Caw}.
Note: The common crow of Europe, or carrion crow, is {C.
corone}. The common American crow is {C. Americanus}.
See {Carrion crow}, and Illustr., under {Carrion}.
2. A bar of iron with a beak, crook, or claw; a bar of iron
used as a lever; a crowbar.
Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight Unto my
cell. --Shak.
3. The cry of the cock. See {Crow}, v. i., 1.
4. The mesentery of a beast; -- so called by butchers.
{Carrion crow}. See under {Carrion}.
{Crow blackbird} (Zo["o]l.), an American bird ({Quiscalus
quiscula}); -- called also {purple grackle}.
{Crow pheasant} (Zo["o]l.), an Indian cuckoo; the common
coucal. It is believed by the natives to give omens. See
{Coucal}.
{Crow shrike} (Zo["o]l.), any bird of the genera
{Gymnorhina}, {Craticus}, or {Strepera}, mostly from
Australia.
{Red-legged crow}. See {Crough}.
{As the crow flies}, in a direct line.
{To pick a crow}, {To pluck a crow}, to state and adjust a
difference or grievance (with any one).