galliwasp

[gal-uh-wosp]

noun

1. any of numerous scaly marsh lizards of the genus Diploglossus, inhabiting Central America and the West Indies.

galliwasp

/ ˈɡælɪˌwɒsp /

noun

1. any lizard of the Central American genus Diploglossus, esp D. monotropis of the Caribbean: family Anguidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of galliwasp¹

First recorded in 1715–25; earlier gallivache (1683), of unexplained origin; apparently assimilated to gally, wasp

Word History and Origins

Origin of galliwasp¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

In the Caribbean, for example, the Jamaican rock iguana and a lizard called the blue-tailed galliwasp are critically endangered.

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Jamaica giant galliwasp: Introduced predators, such as mongooses, killed off this lizard species.

Read more on Washington Post

Galliwasp, gal′i-wasp, n. a West Indian lizard.

Read more on Project Gutenberg