cockatrice

Meaning

Noun

• A legendary creature about the size and shape of a dragon or wyvern, but in appearance resembling a giant rooster, with some lizard-like characteristics.
• Mistress, harlot.
• A snake or serpent that appears to be hatched of a rooster, or cock's, egg.
• The cobra.
• Any venomous or deadly thing.

Origin

• First attested 1382 as Middle English cocatrice, from Old French cocatriz, from Late Latin calcātrīx ("she who treads upon something"), from Latin calcō ("tread"), from calx.