crotaphytus

noun

cro·​ta·​phy·​tus

ˌkrōtəˈfītəs,

ˌkrät-

capitalized

: a genus of lizards (family Iguanidae) of the southern and western U.S. including the collared lizard

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, modification of Greek krotaphitēs of the temples, from krotaphos temple + -itēs -ite; akin to Greek krotein to clap

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