crocket 
and both are nit. dims, of crook.] It. A large 
roll or lock of Imir. cliaraetonxtic of a manner 
of dressing the hair common in tho fourteenth 
century, n , imtMad ..f n still mil, probably mad.- ovr 
a piece of stuff, like the "rate" wont liy women during the 
nineteenth century. 
They kembe her crokettcx with clnistall. 
Political Potnu, I. 312. 
2. One of the terminal snags on a stag's honi. 
3. In ini'ilii-r/il uri-li., n iioinlcd decoration, an 
ornament most frequently treated as recurved 
foliage, placed on the angles of tho inclined 
I. Crockets in detail, from Porte Rouge, Notre Dame, Paris. 2. 
Crockets applied on a pinnacle. ( From Viollet-le-Dtic's " Diet, de 
1' Architecture." ) Both examples, 13th century. 
sides of pinnacles, canopies, gables, and other 
members, and on the outer or convex part of 
the curve of a pastoral staff or other decorative 
work. Sometimes crockets were carved in the 
forms of animals. 
With crochet on corners with knottes of golde. 
Piers I'lamium't Crede(K. E. T. 8.), 1. 174. 
crocketed (krok'e-ted), a. [< crocket + -cdj.] 
Furnished with crockets ; ornamented with 
crockets. 
The high-pitched roof [of the castle of Chenonceaiixl con- 
tains three windows of beautiful design, covered with em- 
broidered caps and flowering into crocheted spires. 
//. Jameg, Jr., Little Tour, p. 54. 
crock-saw (krok'sa), . A long-toothed iron 
plate like a saw, which hangs at the back of the 
fireplace to carry the pots and crocks. Daviey, 
Supp. Eng. Glossary. 
crocky (krok'i), a. [< crock 2 + -y 1 .] Smutty; 
sooty. 
crocodile (krok'o-dil), n. and a. [Early mod. E. 
also crocodil; altered, to suit the mod. F. and 
L., from ME. coeodriU, cokadrill, cokcdril, etc., 
= Pr. cocoilrilh = Sp. Pg. cocodrilo = It. cocco- 
drillo = MHG. kokodrille (ML. cocodrillus, coca- 
ilrillus), etc., corrupted from the normal form, 
now in part restored, F. crocodile = Sp. Pg. It. 
crocodilo = D. krokodil = G. krokodif = Dan. 
krnkodillf = Sw. krokodil, < L. crocodilus, < Gr. 
ic/)oico(!f(>of, a li/ard, a crocodile ; ulterior origin 
unknown. Cf. cockatrice.] I. . 1. An animal 
of the order Crocodilia, and especially of the 
family Crocodilida; (see these words). The name, 
originally signifying some large !i/,:ird. was flrst specifical- 
ly given to the Nile crocodile, Crocodilwi niloticu* or vul- 
1851 
swers correctly MI yi.-tion Am I going to restore the 
child 1 ; Ifthentba UJV > -.the crocodile eat the ,-hild 
anil Ml* the father In i- i.mg. If the father says N'i>, 
tin- reply l tht 111 that cii-e the child -tored. 
for to do so would violate the agreement, wince the fathei 
answer would then be in. . 
II. ". Like a crocodile, or like something 
pertaining to a crocodile Crocodile tears, false 
or simulated tear* : in allu.sion t<> the llctiou of ><ld tiav. 1 
ers tliat eroeodile.s shed tears over those they devour. 
crocodilean, ". mid n. See crocodilian. 
crocodile-bird (krok'6-dH-berd), n. A name of 
the Kgyptian black-headed plover, I'luviamty 
ii-i/i/liiiiix, one of several plovers which have 
been supposed to answer to the trochilus of 
Herodotus: so called from its association with 
the crocodile. See cut under rim-mnus. 
Crocodili (krok-o-di'li), n. /it. [NL.] Same as 
I'riii-iiililin. 11'n'i/li ,; 1830. 
Crocodilia (krok-o-dil'i-tt), . ;</. [NL., < L. 
I'l-oniililint, crocodile.] An orler of Itei>tiH<t. 
formerly included with Lacertilia in Sauria, now 
separated as the 
highest existing 
reptiles. They are 
lizard-like in form, 
with long tails and 
(our well-developed 
limii-i, the anterior 
shorterthan the pos- 
terior and with live 
complete digite, and 
the posterior four- 
toed. With a single 
exeeption, the liv- 
ing species have 
nails on the three 
radial and tibial 
digits ; the feet are 
webbed ; the nos- 
trils are at the end 
of along snout, and 
can IT closed ; and 
the tympanic mem- 
branes are exposed, 
but a cutaneous 
valve can lie shut 
down over them. 
The skin Is loricate, 
the dermal arnn 
croft 
crocodiltne (krok-o-dil'in), n. [< crocodili + 
-iiu-l. j Like :i enie.nlile. 
Crocodilini tkrok ,>-di-li'ni), ii. fil. [NL., < 
i 'fii'-nilihix + -iwt.l A family of squamate gau- 
ri.-uis: same as the modern order ' YHIW/I/IH. 
01 CH 
consisting of bony 
Longitudinal Vertical Section of Hinder 
Part of Skull of a Crocodile, showing many 
cranial peculiarities of Crofoiiltia. 
I- it, Eustachian tube, dividing into a, an 
anterior, and /. a posterior branch ; the two 
tympana communicating with the cavity of 
the mouth by three canals a large one 
opening in the middle line, and two smaller 
lateral ones on the base of the skull t>ehind 
the posterior nares : it is this lateral one 
lich sulxlivides into a and/. /'. pituitary 
nony f ossa . p t y posterior nares, opening very far 
scute, covered with back ; rt, JtmaU : fa, parietal f fr. fron- 
epldennal scales tal : OS. orbitosphenotd (t ): AS, alisphe- 
OI corresponding no 'd I SS. hasisphenoid ; HO, bastoccipital ; 
tiwni rl> ,11,11,1 la A'O. eKOccipital ; SO, supraoccipital ; Pro, 
orill. the anus is pm81ic . >. epiotic; <><>. opisthotk. 
longitudinal, as in united with 0; 
, aic , fsc , anterior and pos- 
terior semicircular canals ; /', /"///, exitsof 
fifth and eighth nerves. 
the chelonians ; the 
penis is single, and 
lodged in the cloa- 
ca ; the teeth are distinctly socketed ; the lungs are con- 
fined to the thorax ; the heart is completely four-cham- 
bered, hut the aortic arches communicate by the foramen 
Paniziue, so that venous and arterial blood commingle out- 
side the heart ; the spinal column is well ossified ; the ver- 
tehne are mostly proctelons, as in all the existing species, 
amphicxElons or opisthocoelous in some extinct forms ; the 
sacral vertebra? are reduced to two ; the cervical bear free 
ribs ; the ribs are bifurcated at their proximal ends ; there 
is a series of so-called alHlominal ribs disconnected from 
the vertehne; and the skull is well ossified, with an inter- 
orbital septum, large alisphenoids and pal-otic processes, 
large fixed quadrates, ectopterygoids, completely bony 
tympanic cavities, rudimentary orbitosphenolds, if any, 
and no parietal foramen. The order ranges In time from 
the Oolitic strata to the present day, and contains all the 
huge saurians known as crocodiles, alligators, caymans, 
jacares, gavials, etc. All the species are more or less 
aquatic, though none of the living ones is marine. The 
unler has been divided into the five families Alliimttiridir, 
Croc.*?. 1 /../.' 1 . <;<fr//rli<l<t', Teli'finrititr, and BflfduntidcF, 
the last two including only extinct forms. Other names 
of theorderare Loricata, Kinytlonfiuria, ami //t/drowzwrwi. 
Other divisions of the order than those alwve given are : 
(1) by Owen, into three suborders, Proarlia, Amphiccrlia, 
and Opiuthocaflia ; and (2) by Huxley, likewise into three 
suborders, 1'araxurhia, Megotuchin, and A'luwe/iiVi. 
crocodilian (krok-o-dil'i-an), (i. and n. [< croco- 
tlilc + -ian.] I. a. Relating to or of the nature 
of the crocodile; hence, in allusion to crocodile 
tears, hypocritical. See crocodile, a. 
O, what a crocodilian world is this. 
Composed of treach'rles and insnaring wiles ! 
she clothes destruction In a formal kiss, 
And lodges death in her deceitful smiles. 
Quart?*, Emblems, I. 3. 
II. n. A crocodile; one of the Crocodilia. 
Also, improperly, spelled crocodilean. 
crocodilid (krok-o-dil'id), w. A reptile of the 
family I'rocodiliiln . 
Crocodilidae (krok-o-dU'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
CrociMlilitu + -ida'.] The typical family of the 
order Crocodilia. it is characterized by procu-lous 
Vr] teline ; pter\ -nil Is I" Hllldinj.: tllf posterior HBP 
nasal bones composim: the nari:il aperture to some extent ; 
a sli aiuiht maxilli>-prema\illarv suture or one con vex back- 
ward; 11 mandilinlar sMuphvMs not r\t< ndini: l-cyond the 
eighth 1>th and not involving s|>lrnial .1. unlit-, the 
i.iviia] -elites distinct ,r not from thr tergal ones ; the 
teeth Hiiri|iial. tlie thst mandihnlar tooth luting into a 
fossa. Ilie fniirth into a -roo\r ; anil the head shorter t linn 
in i^n-inii'lir. 1'iit loimer than in Alli'ttitoridcr. The family 
2. In lOffte, a sophism of counter-questioniug. includes two genera : On>rWi7x. represented by the croc- 
'I'lnis. in tl Id example, a crocodile has stolen a child. odile of the Nile. ('. niMi'ru*. and other species ; and .W. 
and promises to restore it to the father if the latter an- oWn/" Se, ent< uniler rncK/i7c and 
./.M-i'v. tlictncinlier of the order which has been longest and 
best known, and wasattci ward eMemled to sundry related 
species. Thus, the (Janu'etic crocodile is the gavial, (inn- 
tiff* iiiii'i' ri,-ii.<. \ true crocodile. OwW//".v fntii'rii-ttitir*, 
ms in Florida. 
Snme men seyn, that whan tllei will gadrc the I'eper. 
Ihei makeu Fuyr, and hrennen alioute. to make the Scr- 
peiiie., and the CbfadriUu to lice. 
.1/iiii.J. n7(c, Travels, p. Kin, 
crocodilitet (krok'o-di-lit), . [< crocoilil- + 
-(/'-.] A sophism of cross-questiouiiig. See 
crocoilili , L'. 
The erocedolite Is when, being deceived by some crafty 
manner of questioning, we do admit that which our ad- 
versary tnrncih again UJHIII us, to our own hindrance, u 
in the fable of the crocodile, whereof thin name crocadn- 
Jtteproceedcth. MM I ' : M 
CTOCOdility (krok-o-dil'i-ti), n. [< crocodile, 2, 
+ -it;/.] Iii logic, a captious or sophistical mode 
of arguing. See crocodile, 2. [Kare.l 
Crocodilurus (krok'o-di-lu'rus), n. [NL., < Or. 
KponMeifof, crocodile, + o/ ,../. tail.] A genus of 
nssiliugual lizards, of the family Ameirida. 
Crocodilus (krok-o-di'lus). n. [NL., < L. croco- 
ilihm, crocodile.] 'The typical genus of the fam- 
ily Croi'iidilidee. 
crocoisite (kro-ko'i-sit), n. Same as crocoite. 
crocoite (kroTco-it), n. [Irreg. < Gr. upoitAtif, 
saffron-colored (< K/MKOC., saffron: see crocus), 
+ -ite 2 .] A mineral, a native chromate of lead 
or red-lead ore, found in brilliant red crystals 
in the Urals and Brazil, and also massive. 
croconate (kro'ko-nat), n. [< crocon(ic) + 
-ate 1 .] A yellow salt formed by the union of 
croconic acid with a base. 
croconic (kro-kon'ik), a. [< crocux + -on + -ic.] 
Of or pertaining to saffron ; saffron-yellow. 
Croconic add, < '.-,11 ._.<>.-,. an acid obtained as a potasBium 
salt when dry cm ln.iiie-a. id gas is passed over heated JK>- 
tassium and the resulting potassium carlioxid is thrown 
into water. It forms yellow crystals, and tastes and reacts 
strongly acid. 
crocota (kro-ko'ta), w. ; pi. crocota; (-te). [L. 
(sc. vestix, garment), < Or. n/WKurof (sc. x' T ^ v , 
gai-ment), a saffron-colored frock, prop, adj., 
saffron-dyed, < POKO<;, saffron : see CTOCIM.] In 
clantiical antig., a garment, originally of a yel- 
low color, connected with the ceremonial of the 
cult of Bacchus. It is referred to sometimes as a man- 
tle and sometimes as a tunic, and was probably intermedi- 
ate Let w .en the two garments, and worn in the fonn of a 
sleeveless tunic over the ordinary tunic. It was worn by 
Bacchus himself, by women, and by men considered ef- 
feminate. 
crocus (kro'kus), n. [Cf. AS. croh, saffron ; D. 
0. Dan. trolum = F. crortw = Sp. Pg. It. croco, 
< L. crocus, m., also cro- 
cum, neiit., < Gr. Kpunw, 
crocus, saffron. Perhaps 
of Eastern origin : cf. 
Heb. karkom = Ar. kar- 
kam, kurkitm, saffron ; 
Skt. kitnkuma, saffron.] 
1. A plant of the genus 
Crocus. 
The spendthrift erocwt, burst- 
ing through the mould, 
Naked and shivering with his 
cup of gold. 
O. H'. Holm ft, .Spring. 
2. [ra;>.] [NL.] A ge- 
nus of beautiful irida- 
ceous plants, consisting 
of many hardy species, 
some of which are among 
the commonest orna- 
ments of gardens. They 
are dwarf herbs, with fibrous-coated conns, and grass-like 
leaves appearing after the flowers. Crocuses are found 
chiefly In the middle and southern parts of Europe and 
the Levant, and are especially abundant in Greece and 
Asia Minor. Sonic of the species are vernal and others 
autumnal. 'I he varieties In cultivation are very numerous, 
but mostly of venial 8{>ecies, as these are the earliest of 
spring flowers. C. natiVH* yields the saffron of commerce, 
which consists of the orange stigmas of the flowers. 
3. Saffron, obtained from plants of the genus 
Crocus. See saffron. 4. A polishing-powder 
prepared from crystals of sulphate of iron, cal- 
cined in crucibles.- It is the calcined powder taken 
from the liottoni of the crucible, where the heat la m.-t 
intense. The powder In the upper part is called roti..*-. 
(UK-US is of a purple color. Is the harder, and Is used for 
ordinary work. Rouge Is of a scarlet color, and is used 
for polishing gold- and silver-work and specula. Sec col- 
cot har. 
crodet, [< OP. crot, a crypt (< PP. crota, 
crnjita), same as grottt, a grot, cave: see grot, 
i/rntto, and crypt, doublets of rnnli.} A crypt. 
The Chin-he ..f the h..lj Sepiilere . . . hath . . . Crodtt 
and vowtes, t'hajiellys hyirh and lowe, in grett nowmlK-r, 
and men-ell it ys to see the many Deferens and secrete 
places with in the sa\d temple. 
Torlnuglun, Uiarie of Kug. Travel), p. 39. 
croft (krdft), n. [= 8c. craft, croft, < ME. croft. 
< AS. croft, a small inclosed field, = MD. kriift, 
krocht, high and dry land, l:roi-lit. crocht. a field 
