gavial

/ ˈɡærɪəl; ˈɡeɪvɪəl /

noun

1. a large fish-eating Indian crocodilian, Gavialis gangeticus, with a very long slender snout: family Gavialidae
2. false gavial
   a SE Asian crocodile, Tomistoma schlegeli, similar to but smaller than the gavial

Word History and Origins

Origin of gavial¹

C19: from French, from Hindi ghariyāl

Example Sentences

Alligators are found in most of the rivers, and the gavial is less frequently met with.

From Project Gutenberg

By the absence of the swollen nasal prominence (neusklep), which characterizes the Gangetic Gavial.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Gangetic Gavial the relations of the teeth of the two jaws appear to me, as I shall state below, to be very different.

From Project Gutenberg

The cranium is elongated, and the snout slender and Gavial-like.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the best known varieties are those of the river Nile, the Gavial of the Ganges being also among the more familiar species.

From Project Gutenberg