alligator
UK: ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪ.tə | US: ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪ.t̬ɚ
n. a large reptile similar to a crocodile but with a broader snout, native to the Americas and China.
The word "alligator" traces back to Spanish explorers in the Americas, who referred to the creature as "el lagarto de Indias" (the lizard of the Indies). Over time, English speakers adapted the phrase into "alligator," merging the Spanish article "el" with "lagarto." The term reflects the European encounter with an unfamiliar reptile, emphasizing its lizard-like appearance.
An alligator basked on the riverbank, its jaws slightly open.
Florida is famous for its vast alligator populations.
The zookeeper fed raw meat to the young alligator.
Never approach an alligator in the wild—they are dangerous.
The alligator's powerful tail propelled it through the water.