gavial

/ ˈɡærɪəl; ˈɡeɪvɪəl /

noun

1. a large fish-eating Indian crocodilian, Gavialis gangeticus, with a very long slender snout: family Gavialidae
2. false gavial
   a SE Asian crocodile, Tomistoma schlegeli, similar to but smaller than the gavial

Word History and Origins

Origin of gavial¹

C19: from French, from Hindi ghariyāl

Example Sentences

“Most crocodilians are nocturnal,” says Woods, referring to the group of animals that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gavials.

From Washington Post

The habits of the whole family—gavials and alligators, crocodiles, caymans, and jacarés—are so much alike, that it seems a cruelty to separate them.

From Project Gutenberg

Another thing, that bayou is 55 chuck full of alligators, and a fellow down on the Rand told me they’re like the Central American gavials for keenness to nip a swimmer.”

From Project Gutenberg

Alligators are found in most of the rivers, and the gavial is less frequently met with.

From Project Gutenberg

Habitations of reptiles.—Of the great saurians, the gavials which inhabit the Ganges differ from the cayman of America, or the crocodile of the Nile.

From Project Gutenberg