OXFORD 9000
📚 noun • entry_id 2001

alligator

/ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪ.tə/
Meanings (ES + gloss)
aligator • aligátor • lagarto • yacaré
Either of two species of large amphibious reptile, Alligator mississippiensis or Alligator sinensis, in the genus Alligator within order Crocodilia, which have sharp teeth and very strong jaws and are native to the Americas and China, respectively.
All you could see of the alligator were two eyes above the water, then suddenly it snatched up and caught the poor bird with strong jaws full of sharp teeth.
Alligators and crocodiles look extremely alike. The main distinguishing feature is the teeth. In a crocodile the teeth in its upper and lower jaws are in line, but in an alligator,…
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