Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Lizard

Liz′ard

,
Noun.
[OE.
lesarde
, OF.
lesarde
, F.
lézard
, L.
lacerta
,
lacertus
. Cf.
Alligator
,
Lacerta
.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any one of the numerous species of reptiles belonging to the order
Lacertilia
; sometimes, also applied to reptiles of other orders, as the
Hatteria
.
☞ Most lizards have an elongated body, with four legs, and a long tail; but there are some without legs, and some with a short, thick tail. Most have scales, but some are naked; most have eyelids, but some do not. The tongue is varied in form and structure. In some it is forked, in others, as the chameleons, club-shaped, and very extensible. See
Amphisbæna
,
Chameleon
,
Gecko
,
Gila monster
,
Horned toad
,
Iguana
, and
Dragon
, 6.
2.
(Naut.)
A piece of rope with thimble or block spliced into one or both of the ends.
R. H. Dana, Ir.
3.
A piece of timber with a forked end, used in dragging a heavy stone, a log, or the like, from a field.
Lizard snake
(Zool.)
,
the garter snake (
Eutænia sirtalis
).
–
Lizard stone
(Min.)
,
a kind of serpentine from near Lizard Point, Cornwall, England, – used for ornamental purposes.

Webster 1828 Edition

Lizard

LIZ'ARD

,
Noun.
[L. lacertus, lacerta, there has been a change of c into z or s, which may be the fact.]
In zoology, a genus of amphibious animals, called Lacerta, and comprehending the crocodile, alligator, chameleon, salamander, &c. But the name, in common life, is applied to the smaller species of this genus, and of these there is a great variety. These animals are ranked in the order of reptiles. The body is naked, with four feet and a tail. The body is thicker and more tapering than that of the serpent.

Definition 2024

lizard

lizard

See also: Lizard

English

A lizard.

Noun

lizard ‎(plural lizards)

  1. Any reptile of the order Squamata (excluding the true snakes), usually having four legs, external ear openings, movable eyelids and a long slender body and tail.
  2. (chiefly in attributive use) Lizard skin, the skin of these reptiles.
    • 1990 October 28, Paul Simon, “Proof”, The Rhythm of the Saints, Warner Bros.
      Silver bells jingling from your black lizard boots, my baby / Silver foil to trim your wedding gown
  3. (colloquial) An unctuous person.
  4. (colloquial) A coward.
  5. (rock paper scissors lizard Spock conflict resolution game) A hand with the index and middle fingers open with the thumb placed between them, a handshape resembling a lizard, that eats (beats) paper and poisons (beats) Spock and is crushed by (loses to) rock and is decapitated by (loses to) scissors.

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology

Borrowing from Anglo-Norman lusard, from Old French lesard (compare French lézard), from Latin lacertus.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈlɪz.əd/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈlɪz.ɚd/

Similar Results