cockatrice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowLiterary, Archaic, Specialized (Heraldry, Mythology)
Quick answer
What does “cockatrice” mean?
A mythical creature, typically depicted as a two-legged dragon or serpent with the head of a rooster, said to be able to kill with its glance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mythical creature, typically depicted as a two-legged dragon or serpent with the head of a rooster, said to be able to kill with its glance.
By extension, a term for a vicious or treacherous person, especially a woman; also used in heraldry and literary symbolism to represent deadly danger or evil.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Archaic, mythical, often associated with medieval lore and heraldry. The connotation is uniformly esoteric.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage, appearing primarily in historical, fantasy, or specialized heraldic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cockatrice” in a Sentence
The [adjective] cockatrice [verb of perception/killing] its victim.A cockatrice of [noun phrase, e.g., unparalleled ferocity]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cockatrice” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The tapestry featured a cockatrice crest.
- He described her smile as cockatrice-like.
American English
- The shield bore a cockatrice emblem.
- Her cockatrice glare silenced the room.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, historical studies of mythology, and art history discussing medieval iconography.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in heraldry to describe a specific charge (a heraldic beast).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cockatrice”
- Mispronouncing as /koʊˈkeɪ.trɪs/ or /ˈkɒk.trɪs/.
- Confusing its abilities with the Medusa's (turning to stone vs. death by glance/poison).
- Using it as a common noun for any hybrid creature.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In many modern and medieval sources, they are used interchangeably as lethal, gaze-killing creatures. However, some traditions distinguish them: the basilisk is often a pure serpent (the 'king of serpents'), while the cockatrice is explicitly a hybrid with a rooster's head, legs, and wings.
No, the cockatrice is entirely mythical. It originated in medieval European folklore and legend, likely from distorted accounts of real animals like snakes or from allegorical moral tales.
You are most likely to encounter it in fantasy literature (books, games), in the study of heraldry (coats of arms), or in academic texts discussing medieval art and mythology.
Yes, though it is archaic. It can be used to describe a person, particularly a woman, who is considered dangerously treacherous or malevolent, often with the implication of a 'deadly' gaze or influence.
A mythical creature, typically depicted as a two-legged dragon or serpent with the head of a rooster, said to be able to kill with its glance.
Cockatrice is usually literary, archaic, specialized (heraldry, mythology) in register.
Cockatrice: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒk.ə.traɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.kə.traɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like a cockatrice (deadly, fearsome)”
- “to have a cockatrice's eye (to have a malevolent gaze)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COCK (rooster) with a TRICE (sounds like 'trice' meaning 'quick moment') – a rooster that can kill you in a trice with its glance.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS A COCKATRICE; MALEVOLENCE IS A PETRIFYING GAZE.
Practice
Quiz
In heraldry, how is a cockatrice typically depicted?