Cock"a*trice [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 cockatrice.
Shak.
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. basilisk's] den.
Is. xi. 8.
4.
Any venomous or deadly thing.
This little cockatrice of a king.
Bacon.
© Webster 1913.