caiman
pronunciation
How to pronounce caiman in British English:
UK ['keɪmən]
How to pronounce caiman in American English:
US ['keɪmən]
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- Noun:
- an alligator-like reptile of Central America and South America having a more heavily armored belly
Word Origin
- caiman (n.)
- also cayman, 1570s, from Portuguese or Spanish caiman, from Carib acayouman "crocodile," or perhaps from a Congo African word applied to the reptiles in the new world by African slaves. "The name appears to be one of those like anaconda and bom, boma, which the Portuguese or Spaniards very early caught up in one part of the world, and naturalized in another." [OED]
Example
- 1. Despite its fierce appearance , the pantanal caiman ( caiman yacare ) is not dangerous to humans .
- 2. You 're riding in the chopper with caiman .
- 3. Turtle & caiman seal clip ( 4 pcs )
- 4. The only alternative is euthanasia - is your caiman really so disposable ?
- 5. The neighborhood needs all the help it can get , but no aid groups have come to impasse caiman street .