dewlap

noun

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dew·lap | \ ˈdü-ˌlap

also ˈdyü- \

Definition of dewlap

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

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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, "S.A.’s Common Critters: Nothing common about the green anole, San Antonio’s most common lizard," 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, "Meet Lizard Man, a reptile-loving biologist tackling some of the biggest questions in evolution," 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, "Jamaican iguana," 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, "Connecticut’s Fair Season Starts," 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, "Mueller Is Steadily Working His Way Up the Food Chain," 23 Feb. 2018 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, "Mueller Is Steadily Working His Way Up the Food Chain," 23 Feb. 2018 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, "Mueller Is Steadily Working His Way Up the Food Chain," 23 Feb. 2018 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, "Mueller Is Steadily Working His Way Up the Food Chain," 23 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dewlap.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.