Caiman

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkeɪ.mÉ™n/
• Rhymes: -eɪmÉ™n

Alternative forms

• cayman

Origin

From Spanish caiman or Portuguese caimão, probably from Galibi Carib

Dictionary.com

or perhaps from a Congo language.

Online Etymology Dictionary

Full definition of caiman

Noun

1. Any of the relatively small crocodilians of genus Caiman, within family Alligatoridae.
• 1995, Laurie Agopian, Extended Thematic Unit: Rain Forest, page 32,Caimans are reptiles that are closely related to their Central and South American neighbors, the alligators. Adult caimans are usually four to six feet (1.8 m) in length.
• 2002, International Wildlife Encyclopedia: Brown bear - Cheetah, 3rd Edition, page 358,The caimans are found in South America, mainly in the Amazon basin, with one species extending into the southern part of Mexico and another reaching northern parts of Argentina.
• 2010, Carrol L. Henderson, Mammals, Amphibians, and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Field Guide, page 164,Newly hatched caimans eat insects. Young caimans are eaten by Jabirus, Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and raccoons. Adult caimans have no predators except human poachers.
2. A semi-aquatic lizard, of the genus Dracaena, found in South America. To differentiate from caimans, they are referred to as caiman lizards.

Derived terms

• caiman lizard

Anagrams

• mancia
• maniac