Gila monster

noun

1. a large, venomous lizard, Heloderma suspectum, of the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico, covered with beadlike scales of yellow, orange, and black.

Gila monster

/ ˈhiːlə /

noun

1. a large venomous brightly coloured lizard, Heloderma suspectum, inhabiting deserts of the southwestern US and Mexico and feeding mostly on eggs and small mammals: family Helodermatidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of Gila monster¹

1875–80, Americanism; after Gila

Word History and Origins

Origin of Gila monster¹

C19: after the Gila, a river in New Mexico and Arizona

Example Sentences

I am of the opinion his death was in part caused by the effects of the poison of the Gila Monster.

From Project Gutenberg

Disturbed quail, rabbits, an enormous lizard—the harmless brother of the poisonous Gila Monster—dashed across the trail.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, I passed three deserted ranches, and near one of them I killed a Gila monster that was just making its burrow.

From Project Gutenberg

Linda herself had no more use for a hysterical woman than she had for a Gila monster.

From Project Gutenberg

His right hand darted under his coat to his left armpit like a Gila monster streaking for cover.

From Project Gutenberg