Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Lizard?

\Liz"ard\, n. [OE. lesarde, OF. lesarde, F. l['e]zard, L. lacerta, lacertus. Cf. {Alligator}, {Lacerta}.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of the numerous species of reptiles belonging to the order Lacertilia; sometimes, also applied to reptiles of other orders, as the Hatteria. Note: 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 {Amphisb[ae]na}, {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 fish} (Zo["o]l.), a marine scopeloid fish of the genus {Synodus}, or {Saurus}, esp. {S. f[oe]tens} of the Southern United States and West Indies; -- called also {sand pike}. {Lizard snake} (Zo["o]l.), the garter snake ({Eut[ae]nia sirtalis}). {Lizard stone} (Min.), a kind of serpentine from near Lizard Point, Cornwall, England, -- used for ornamental purposes.