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whiptail

American  
[hwip-teyl, wip-] / ˈʰwɪpˌteɪl, ˈwɪp- /

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.


Etymology

Origin of whiptail

First recorded in 1765–75; whip + tail 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

For instance, a new study shows the rare Colorado checkered whiptail lizard stress-eats in response to noise.

From National Geographic Apr. 25, 2023

And in the long run, whiptail lizards won't get a chance to evolve into a stronger species.

From The Verge Jul. 19, 2015

These include unisexual whiptail lizards and deadbeat cassowary moms, which abandon hatchlings to Dad’s care.

From Washington Post Apr. 15, 2015

Some species of whiptail lizards carry three sets of genes, rather than two.

From New York Times Dec. 18, 2014

But at a dinner in 2002, he mentioned the whiptail lizards to Peter Baumann, a molecular biologist at Stowers Institute for Medical Research, where Dr. Neaves served as president.

From New York Times Dec. 18, 2014

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