Main Entry: al·li·ga·tor

Pronunciation: \ˈa-lə-ˌgā-tər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Spanish el lagarto the lizard, from el the (from Latin ille that) + lagarto lizard, from Vulgar Latin *lacartus, from Latin lacertus, lacerta — more at lizard

Date: 1579

1 a : either of two crocodilians (Alligator mississippiensis of the southeastern United States and A. sinensis of China) having broad heads not tapering to the snout and a special pocket in the upper jaw for reception of the enlarged lower fourth tooth b : crocodilian
2 : leather made from alligator hide

[alligator illustration]