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: crocodilian2: leather made from alligator hide

[alligator illustration]