Alligator Meaning and Definition
Alligator
Pronunciation
/əˈlɪɡeɪtər/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A large reptile of the genus Alligator, characterized by its armored hide, powerful tail, and powerful jaws, found in freshwater environments in the southeastern United States and China.
Examples
- The alligator lay still in the shallow water, its eyes barely visible above the surface.
- Alligators are an important part of the ecosystem in the Everglades, serving as both predators and prey.
Synonyms
- Crocodile
- Reptile
Antonyms
- Mammal
- Bird
Additional Information
Alligators have been on Earth for millions of years, and their ancestors date back to the time of the dinosaurs. Today, they can be found in freshwater environments, including swamps, lakes, and rivers. Alligators are carnivores, feeding on fish, snails, and small mammals.
Alligators play an important role in their ecosystems, helping to regulate the populations of aquatic animals. Despite their fearsome reputation, alligators are generally solitary animals and do not attack humans unless provoked or threatened.
Etymology
The word “alligator” comes from the Spanish word “el lagarto,” meaning “the lizard.”
Usage Notes
When referring to alligators, it’s important to note that the term “gator” is often used as a colloquialism, but technically, it refers to a smaller species of reptile, the American crocodile.
Cultural References
Alligators have appeared in various forms of media, including films like “The Princess and the Frog” and “Swamp Thing,” as well as in literature, such as in Ray Bradbury’s “Something Evil.”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Snappy as an alligator: This idiom refers to someone or something that is quick and aggressive.
Related Words or Phrases
- Crocodile
- Snake
- Reptile
Collocations
- Alligator swamp
- Alligator bite
Frequency of Use
The word “alligator” is commonly used in scientific, educational, and popular contexts, with a frequency of approximately 1.4 times per million words in the Corpus of Contemporary American English.
Common Misspellings
- Alligator becoming Alligater
- Alligator becoming Alligatir
- Alligator becoming Aligator