al·li·ga·tor (?l??-g??t?r)n.1. Either of two large semiaquatic reptiles, Alligator mississipiensis of the southeast United States or A. sinensis of China, having sharp teeth and powerful jaws. They differ from crocodiles in having a broader, shorter snout.2. Leather made from the hide of one of these reptiles.3. A tool or fastener having strong, adjustable, often toothed jaws.[Alteration of Spanish el lagarto, the lizard : el, the (from Latin ille, that; see al- in Indo-European roots) + lagarto, lizard (from Latin lacertus).]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.alligator (?æl???e?t?) n1. (Animals) a large crocodilian, Alligator mississipiensis, of the southern US, having powerful jaws and sharp teeth and differing from the crocodiles in having a shorter and broader snout: family Alligatoridae (alligators and caymans)2. (Animals) a similar but smaller species, A. sinensis, occurring in China near the Yangtse River3. (Animals) any crocodilian belonging to the family Alligatoridae4. (Tools) any of various tools or machines having adjustable toothed jaws, used for gripping, crushing, or compacting[C17: from Spanish el lagarto the lizard, from Latin lacerta]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014al?li?ga?tor (?æl ??ge? t?r) n. either of two crocodilians of the genus Alligator, of the southeastern U.S. and E China, characterized by a broad snout. [1560?70;