n. [ OF. cocatrice crocodile, F. cocatrix, cocatrice. The word is a corruption from the same source as E. crocodile, but was confused with cock the bird, F. coq, whence arose the fable that the animal was produced from a cock's egg. See Crocodile. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. A fabulous serpent whose breath and look were said to be fatal. See Basilisk. [ 1913 Webster ] That bare vowel, I, shall poison more Than the death-darting eye of cockatrice. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Her.) A representation of this serpent. It has the head, wings, and legs of a bird, and tail of a serpent. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Script.) A venomous serpent which which cannot now be identified. [ 1913 Webster ] The weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's [ Rev. Ver. basilisk's ] den. Is. xi. 8. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Any venomous or deadly thing. [ 1913 Webster ] This little cockatrice of a king. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] |