Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Cockatrice
Cock′a-trice
(-trīs; 277)
, Noun.
[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
.] 1.
A fabulous serpent whose breath and look were said to be fatal. See
Basilisk
. That bare vowel, I, shall poison more
Than the death-darting eye of
Than the death-darting eye of
cockatrice
. Shakespeare
2.
(Her.)
A representation of this serpent. It has the head, wings, and legs of a bird, and tail of a serpent.
3.
(Script.)
A venomous serpent which which cannot now be identified.
The weaned child shall put his hand on the
cockatrice's
[Rev. Ver.
den. basilisk's
] Is. xi. 8.
4.
Any venomous or deadly thing.
This little
cockatrice
of a king. Bacon.
Webster 1828 Edition
Cockatrice
COCKATRICE
,Noun.