Webster's English Dictionary

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alligator

al.li.ga.tor \'al-*-.ga-t-*r\ n [Sp el lagarto the lizard, fr. el the (fr. 
   L ille that) + ]lagarto lizard, fr. (assumed) VL lacartus, fr. L lacertus, 
   lacerta - more at LARIAT, LIZARD 1a: either of two crocodilians (genus 
   Alligator) having broad heads n ot tapering to the snout and a special 
   pocket in the upper jaw for reception of the enlarged lower fourth tooth 
   1b: CROCODILIAN  2: leather made from alligator's hide  3: a machine with a 
   strong movable jaw like an alligator's  4: a devotee of current swing music