Cock″a‐trice (–trīs; 277), 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.]
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.