See also: Caiman, caimán, and caïman

English edit

 
A spectacled caiman

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Spanish caimán or Portuguese caimão, from Kari'na acayouman.[1]

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈkeɪ.mən/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -eɪmən

Noun edit

caiman (plural caimans)

  1. (strictly) Any of the relatively small crocodilians of the genus Caiman, within the family Alligatoridae.
    • 1995, Laurie Agopian, Extended Thematic Unit: Rain Forest, page 32:
      Caimans are reptiles that are closely related to their Central and South American neighbors, the alligators. Adult caimans are usually four to six feet (1.8 m) in length.
    • 2002, International Wildlife Encyclopedia: Brown bear - Cheetah, 3rd Edition, page 358,
      The caimans are found in South America, mainly in the Amazon basin, with one species extending into the southern part of Mexico and another reaching northern parts of Argentina.
    • 2010, Carrol L. Henderson, Mammals, Amphibians, and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Field Guide, page 164:
      Newly hatched caimans eat insects. Young caimans are eaten by Jabirus, Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and raccoons. Adult caimans have no predators except human poachers.
  2. (loosely) A crocodilian of the subfamily Caimaninae, which includes the very large black caiman.
  3. A semi-aquatic lizard, of the genus Dracaena, found in South America. To differentiate from caimans, they are referred to as caiman lizards.

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ caiman”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.

Further reading edit

Anagrams edit

Catalan edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from Spanish caimán, from Kari'na acayuman.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

caiman m (plural caimans)

  1. caiman

Derived terms edit

Further reading edit

Romanian edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from French caïman.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /kajˈman/
  • Hyphenation: cai‧man

Noun edit

caiman m (plural caimani)

  1. caiman

Declension edit