alligator

[ al-i-gey-ter ]

noun

1. either of two broad-snouted crocodilians of the genus Alligator, of the southeastern U.S. and eastern China.
2. (loosely) any broad-snouted crocodilian, as a caiman.
3. Metallurgy. a machine for bringing the balls of iron from a puddling furnace into compact form so that they can be handled.
4. Jazz. an enthusiastic fan of swing.

verb (used without object)

1. (of paint, varnish, or the like) to crack and acquire the appearance of alligator hide, as from weathering or improper application to a surface.
2. Metalworking. (of a rolled metal slab) to split and curl up and down at one end; fishmouth.

alligator

/ ˈælɪˌɡeɪtə /

noun

1. a large crocodilian, Alligator mississipiensis, of the southern US, having powerful jaws and sharp teeth and differing from the crocodiles in having a shorter and broader snout: family Alligatoridae (alligators and caymans)
2. a similar but smaller species, A. sinensis, occurring in China near the Yangtse River
3. any crocodilian belonging to the family Alligatoridae
4. any of various tools or machines having adjustable toothed jaws, used for gripping, crushing, or compacting

Word History and Origins

Origin of alligator¹

1560–70; < Spanish el lagarto the lizard < Vulgar Latin *ille that + *lacartus, for Latin lacertus lizard

Word History and Origins

Origin of alligator¹

C17: from Spanish el lagarto the lizard, from Latin lacerta

Example Sentences

He says such themes could be found in unexpected places, including the background of Louis the alligator.

From Los Angeles Times

They eyed a compound with nine pop-up tents, a DJ booth, multiple television screens, a step-and-repeat, a ping-pong table, and a 7-foot-tall inflatable alligator.

From Slate

In 2015, when he was a Tampa Bay Rays minor leaguer, Honeywell stepped into the dugout to see his teammates gawking at a 10-foot alligator hiding under the bench.

From Los Angeles Times

And then with the hair adornment, you have the alligator, you have honey bees.

From Los Angeles Times

Pop star Lana Del Ray has ended weeks of speculation by reportedly marrying her alligator tour guide boyfriend, Jeremy Dufrene, in Louisiana.

From BBC