whiptail

[ hwip-teyl, wip- ]

noun

1. any of numerous New World lizards of the family Teiidae, especially of the genus Cnemidophorus, characterized by great agility and alertness.
2. any of various other whip-tailed animals, as the whipscorpion.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiptail¹

First recorded in 1765–75; whip + tail ¹

Example Sentences

Relationship of two whiptail lizards (genus Cnemidophorus) in western Mexico.

From Project Gutenberg

It is considerably larger than the Skeleton or Whiptail, and is just visible to the unassisted eye.

From Project Gutenberg