dewlap

noun

dew·​lap ˈdü-ˌlap 

also ˈdyü-

1

: a fold or flap of skin on the neck of some animals: such as

a

: loose skin hanging under the neck of dogs and cattle of some breeds see cow illustration

b

: a usually brightly colored extensible flap of skin on the throat of a lizard (such as an anole)

2

: loose flesh on the human throat

dewlapped

ˈdü-ˌlapt 

also ˈdyü-

adjective

Examples of dewlap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The female often sports a white dorsal stripe along her back, while the male displays a larger throat fan, or dewlap, that’s bright red and three times the size of the female’s fan. — René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, 12 Aug. 2020

Dewlap colorThe dewlap, a flap of skin under the chin of maleanoles, unfolds to attract mates and warn rivals. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 30 July 2020

When confronted, the iguana extends the fold of skin beneath her neck, known as a dewlap, as a way to warn off intruders. — National Geographic, 3 Mar. 2020

To watch the youngsters aged 7- to 18-years-old hold the leads, use their hips to persuade a heifer to move or stop, hold its dewlap for control, keep its front feet in line, or its back legs apart, is a study in animal husbandry. — Denise Coffey, courant.com, 7 Aug. 2019

Fire burst from its open mouth, its eyes glowed with a smouldering glare, its muzzle and hackles and dewlap were outlined in flickering flame. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 23 Feb. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dewlap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap

Kids Definition

dewlap

noun

dew·​lap ˈd(y)ü-ˌlap 

: loose skin hanging under the neck of various animals (as dogs or cattle of some breeds)

Medical Definition

dewlap

noun

dew·​lap ˈd(y)ü-ˌlap 

: loose skin hanging under the neck especially of a bovine animal

dewlapped

-ˌlapt 

adjective