alligator
verb
- make rough (to resemble the hide of an alligator)
noun
- genus of large reptiles
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪ.tə/ / /ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪ.tɚ/ / /ˈæl.ɪ.ɡæɪ.tə/
intj
Etymology: ] From early Modern English alligater, alligarta, aligarto, alegarto, alagarto, from Spanish el lagarto (“the lizard”), from Latin lacertus (“lizard”), modern spelling possibly influenced by the unrelated Latin alligator (“one who binds”).
- Used in a common chronometric counting scheme, in which the speaker counts out loud, saying the word "alligator" between the numbers so that each number is spoken approximately one second after the last one.
“The same way people will count the seconds between lightning and thunder, I counted the seconds between coughs. One-alligator, two-alligator, three-alligator.”
noun
Etymology: ] From early Modern English alligater, alligarta, aligarto, alegarto, alagarto, from Spanish el lagarto (“the lizard”), from Latin lacertus (“lizard”), modern spelling possibly influenced by the unrelated Latin alligator (“one who binds”).
- 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.
“All you could see of the alligator were two eyes above the water, then suddenly it snatched up and caught the poor bird with strong jaws full of sharp teeth.”
“Alligators and crocodiles look extremely alike. The main distinguishing feature is the teeth. In a crocodile the teeth in its upper and lower jaws are in line, but in an alligator, when its mouth is shut, the upper teeth lie outside the lower ones.”
- A crocodilian of the subfamily Alligatorinae.
- A dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)
- A crocodile of any species.
“Alligators were very numerous, in fact the harbour was infested by them.”
- Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator.
- Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator.
- 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.
- An alligator-skin shoe.
- A swing music fan or performer, especially one who is white.
verb
Etymology: ] From early Modern English alligater, alligarta, aligarto, alegarto, alagarto, from Spanish el lagarto (“the lizard”), from Latin lacertus (“lizard”), modern spelling possibly influenced by the unrelated Latin alligator (“one who binds”).
- To crack in a pattern resembling an alligator's skin.
“Alligatoring is a result of the sun making the top surface of the asphalt brittle.”
“Sealing an area that is alligatoring is a temporary solution that may delay having to replace the asphalt for several years. A more permanent repair would be to replace the alligatored section.”