alligator clip

noun

, Electricity.

1. a type of terminal for making temporary electrical connections, consisting of a cliplike device with long, narrow jaws that resemble those of an alligator.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alligator clip¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

De Jaen crouches to fiddle with alligator clips and bits of wire, as well as six 100-watt light bulbs and a purple gizmo that looks like an electric waffle iron designed for children.

From Seattle Times

There, he said, Russian soldiers connected wires to his fingertips with alligator clips and jolted him with electricity.

From New York Times

Images the prosecutors released showed a Russian military TA-57 telephone with additional wires and alligator clips attached to it.

From Washington Times

Meanwhile, Jessie gathered four lemons and six pieces of wire that were connected on each side to small alligator clips.

From Literature

He would ride out, shimmy up the pole with climbing spikes on his boots and put alligator clips on the phone line.

From Washington Times