alligator

Meaning

Noun

1. 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.
2. A member of the family Alligatoridae, which includes the caimans.
3. (Nigeria) A dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)
4. (dated) A crocodile of any species.
5. Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator.
6. Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator.
7. Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator.
8. Any of various vehicles that have relatively long, low noses in front of a cab or other, usually windowed, structure.
9. (plural-normally) An alligator-skin shoe.
10. (US, dated, slang) A swing music fan or performer, especially one who is white.

Verb

To crack in a pattern resembling an alligator's skin.

Intj

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.

Synonyms

crocodile

🐊

gator

caiman

cayman

shark

🦈

tadpoles

wide mouth

temple gong

patinate

jaw crusher

jaw breaker

patinise

patinize

amphibious tank

alligator squeezer

crocodile squeezer

buffalo

alligator rolling set

cat

😺

crocodilian

mugger

Translations

alligator

Alligator

alligatore

caimán

alligator

jacaré

aligátor

αλλιγάτορας

αλιγάτορας

crocodile

🐊

Krokodil

🐊

al·ligàtor

krokodil

🐊

cocodrilo

🐊

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪ.tə/

Etymology

Cognate with Latin: alligator

In summary

]
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”).