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.
Definition 2024
cockatrice
cockatrice
English
Noun
cockatrice (plural cockatrices)
- A legendary creature about the size and shape of a dragon or wyvern, but in appearance resembling a giant rooster, with some lizard-like characteristics.
- (Can we date this quote?) J. Walker McSpadden, The Spell of Egypt
- “Peace reigns in happy Luxor. The lion lies down with the lamb, and the child, if it will, may harmlessly put its hand into the cockatrice’s den”
- (Can we date this quote?) J. Walker McSpadden, The Spell of Egypt
- (obsolete) Mistress, harlot
References
- For meaning "mistress": 1949, John Dover Wilson (compiler), Life in Shakespeare's England. A Book of Elizabethan Prose, Cambridge at the University Press. 1st ed. 1911, 2nd ed. 1913, 8th reprint. In Glossary and Notes
Translations
legendary creature