agama

¹

[ ag-uh-muh ]

noun

1. any of numerous agamid lizards of the genus Agama, many of which are brilliantly colored and have the ability to change the color of the skin.

Agama

²

[ ah-guh-muh ]

noun

, Hinduism, Buddhism.

1. any of the Tantric writings.

agama

/ əˈɡæmə; ˈæɡəmə /

noun

1. any small terrestrial lizard of the genus Agama, which inhabit warm regions of the Old World: family Agamidae
2. Also calledagamidˈæɡəmɪdəˈɡæmɪd any other lizard of the family Agamidae, which occur in the Old World and Australia and show a wide range of habits and diversity of structure

Word History and Origins

Origin of agama¹

1810–20; < New Latin < Carib

Origin of agama²

From the Sanskrit word āgama tradition, traditional work

Word History and Origins

Origin of agama¹

C19: Carib

Example Sentences

But scientists who looked primarily at fossils championed the large and diverse iguanian family — a group that includes chameleons, iguanas and agamas — as the earliest modern lizards.

From New York Times

It also has a tail that can move up and down to adjust its body midair, a trick borrowing from the leaping agama lizard.

From Science Magazine

Biomechanicist Robert Full and colleagues videotaped red-headed Agama agama lizards, which are about the size of a small rat, as they ran and vaulted off obstacles with surfaces ranging from smooth paper to gritty sandpaper.

From Science Magazine

Among the amphibia in Callao, the iguana and land agama are numerous.

From Project Gutenberg

The blades of the yuccas are dimmed by dust, and resemble clusters of half-rusty bayonets; and the low scrubby copses of acacia scarce offer a shade to the dusky agama and the ground rattlesnake.

From Project Gutenberg