Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
order Crocodylia

order Crocodylia

8.2
A group of large reptiles that eat meat and live in water and on land, like crocodiles and alligators
  • noun
  • /ˈɔrdər krəˈkɒdɪliə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : orden Crocodylia
  • Many scientists study the evolution of the order Crocodylia to understand the differences between crocodiles and alligators.

Examples

  • Fossil records indicate that the order Crocodylia has existed for over 80 million years.

  • The order Crocodylia is characterized by unique features that enable these predators to hunt effectively in both land and water.

  • Adaptations in the sensory systems of the order Crocodylia help these reptiles thrive in aquatic environments.

  • The order Crocodylia includes various species of reptiles.

  • Many scientists study the order Crocodylia for its unique adaptations.

  • The order Crocodylia consists of remarkable reptiles like crocodiles and alligators that are adapted to life in water.

  • Research on the order Crocodylia reveals insights into the evolutionary history of these ancient reptiles.

Synonyms

order Crocodilia
vsorder Crocodylia
  • Specialized
6.8

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

is the preferred scientific name for that same taxonomic group
Crocodilia
vsorder Crocodylia
  • Specialized
7.7

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

is the standard name used for that same taxonomic order
Crocodylia
vsorder Crocodylia
  • Specialized
9.5

A group of large reptiles that live mostly in water like crocodiles and alligators

emphasizes semi-aquatic habitat rather than mostly aquatic
order Loricata
vsorder Crocodylia
  • Archaic
9.9

A former scientific group name for animals like crocodiles and alligators

is the current name that replaced the older zoological term

Surface Forms

order Crocodylia singular
orders Crocodylia plural

Morphology

order + Crocodylia

The phrase is fully compositional: 'order' as a taxonomic grouping combined with 'Crocodylia' (the group containing crocodiles, alligators, caimans) yields the meaning directly. Taxonomic naming follows similar patterns across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand this refers to the biological order containing those reptiles.

Etymology

Order Crocodylia is the scientific name for the group of crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials. The word Crocodylia comes from an old Greek word meaning something like 'pebble lizard' because people saw crocodiles lying on stones by the water, so order Crocodylia names the whole 'group' of crocodile-like animals.