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Crocodylia

Crocodylia

9.5
A group of large reptiles that live mostly in water like crocodiles and alligators
  • noun
  • /ˌkrɒkəˈdɪliə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Crocodylia
  • The order Crocodylia includes not only crocodiles but also alligators and caimans.

Examples

  • Members of Crocodylia are among the largest living reptiles.

  • In the Crocodylia family, members such as alligators and crocodiles can be found in tropical regions.

  • Scientists have studied the evolution of Crocodylia for centuries.

  • The Crocodylia order includes various species of reptiles.

  • Did you know that Crocodylia can live for over 70 years?

  • The order Crocodylia consists of reptiles that are well-adapted to life in water.

  • Researchers classify various species under the order Crocodylia, which are known for their powerful jaws.

Synonyms

Crocodilia
vsCrocodylia
  • Specialized
7.7

A group of large meat-eating reptiles that live in water and on land, like crocodiles and alligators

is the preferred modern spelling of that taxonomic name
order Crocodilia
vsCrocodylia
  • Specialized
6.8

A group of large reptiles that live in water and eat meat, like crocodiles and alligators

focuses on being mostly aquatic rather than stressing predatory habits
Loricata
vsCrocodylia
  • Archaic
9.9

An old scientific name for the group of reptiles that includes crocodiles and alligators

is the current official name replacing the older term
order Loricata
vsCrocodylia
  • Archaic
9.9

A former scientific group name for animals like crocodiles and alligators

is now the more commonly used modern name for that group

Compounds

order Crocodylia
  • Specialized
8.2

A group of large reptiles that eat meat and live in water and on land, like crocodiles and alligators

Surface Forms

Crocodylia singular
Crocodylias plural

Morphology

Crocodylia = crocodile (semi-transparent) = crocodyl + ia

The stem clearly refers to 'crocodile', but the suffix '-ia' is a specialized scientific/Latinizing ending indicating a taxonomic group, which may not be fully transparent to average learners.

Etymology

Crocodylia comes from the old Greek name krokódeilos, built from krokē 'pebble' and deilos 'worm', a picture people used for a crocodile lying among river stones. The ending -ia means 'group', so Crocodylia is the name for the group of animals like crocodiles, alligators and caimans.