alligator
UK[ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪ.tər]US[ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪ.t̬ɚ]
n
a large reptile with a long body, a long mouth with sharp teeth, and a powerful tail, that lives in lakes and rivers in the hot, wet parts of america and china.
Etymology
the word 'alligator' entered english in the late 16th century from spanish 'el lagarto', meaning 'the lizard'. the spanish term itself evolved from latin 'lacertus' or 'lacerta', also meaning 'lizard'. early english explorers in the americas adopted the spanish term for the large reptile they encountered. over time, the definite article 'el' was absorbed into the noun, transforming 'el lagarto' into the single, unanalyzable english word 'alligator'.
Analysis
the word is a loanword adopted as a single unit from spanish. it cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes within modern english spelling.
Examples
an alligator was basking on a muddy riverbank.
the florida everglades are a famous habitat for the american alligator.
we heard the distinctive bellow of a male alligator during the night.