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Here is the definition of Cockatrice (also often referred to as a Basilisk in mythology).
Q u o t e:
cock·a·trice ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kk-trs, -trs)
n. Mythology
A serpent hatched from a cock's egg and having the power to kill by its glance.
[Middle English cocatrice, basilisk, from Old French cocatris, from Medieval Latin coctrx, coctrc-, possibly alteration of calctrx(translation of Greek ikhneumn, tracker), from Latin calcre, to track, from calx, calc-, heel.]
cockatrice
the mediaeval name (a corruption of "crocodile") of a fabulous serpent supposed to be produced from a cock's egg. It is generally supposed to denote the cerastes, or "horned viper," a very poisonous serpent about a foot long. Others think it to be the yellow viper (Daboia xanthina), one of the most dangerous vipers, from its size and its nocturnal habits (Isa. 11:8; 14:29; 59:5; Jer.
8:17; in all which the Revised Version renders the Hebrew _tziph'oni_ by "basilisk"). In Prov. 23:32 the Hebrew _tzeph'a_ is rendered both in the
Authorized Version and the Revised Version by "adder;" margin of Revised Version "basilisk," and of Authorized Version "cockatrice."
In general, I wouldn't look at them as anything soft and cuddly. I've also normally heard the short form as "Trice" but *shrug*. I'm sure people will cling to the other short form since most can't help themselves. ;)
Let me 'infotain' you. Let me make you smile.
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