alligator

Meanings

Noun

• Either of two species of large amphibious reptile, Alligator mississippiensis or Alligator sinensis, in the genus Alligator within order Crocodilia, which have sharp teeth and very strong jaws and are native to the Americas and China, respectively.
• A member of the family Alligatoridae, which includes the caimans.
• dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis (species))
• Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator.
• Any of various vehicles that have relatively long, low noses in front of a cab or other, usually windowed, structure.
• One who binds or ties.

Verb

• To crack in a pattern resembling an alligator's skin.

Related

Similar words

• gator

Origin

• From early Modern English alligater, alligarta, aligarto, alegarto, alagarto, from Spanish el lagarto, from Latin lacertus ("lizard"), modern spelling possibly influenced by the unrelated Latin alligator ("one who binds").
• Borrowed from Latin alligātor.