gator
or ga·ter, ’ga·ter
[gey-ter]
- Southern U.S. Informal. alligator.
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Origin of gator
An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; shortened form
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for gator
Contemporary Examples
The Tea Party candidate also released his first TV ad, "Gator."
Translation: Talk to Ya Later, Ta Ta for Now, and Later, Gator.
Almost no one comes to ride the airboats or stare at the leathery monsters in the gator pit.
Historical Examples
"It's a big 'gator," he murmured to Professor Ditson, who stood beside him.
The Inca EmeraldSamuel Scoville
For while we were halting in a glen to feed, Gator's rifle stood against a rock.
DarielR. D. Blackmore
He could just make out the ugly head of the gator beneath the surface.
The Motor Boys in MexicoClarence Young
In the water that gator could go a hundred feet, almost, to your one!
The Motor Boat Club in FloridaH. Irving Hancock
"Especially when a 'gator is chasing you," reminded Ned Rector.
The Pony Rider Boys in LouisianaFrank Gee Patchin
gator
gater
- mainly US informal an alligator
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Word Origin
C19
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for gator
n.
1844, colloquial shortening of alligator.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper