Definition of caiman in English:
caiman
Translate caiman into Spanish
noun
(also cayman)
A semiaquatic reptile similar to the alligator but with a heavily armored belly, native to tropical America.
Caiman and other genera, family Alligatoridae: three species, in particular the spectacled caiman (C. sclerops)
‘A crocodilian is any member of an order of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, gavials, and related extinct forms.’- ‘The zoo here is now playing host to a pair each of seamy crocodiles, alligators and caimans, giving the city dwellers a glimpse of some rare species.’
- ‘The continental record in South America, where caimans spent much of their history, is sporadic.’
- ‘In fact, there are 23 species of alligators, crocodiles, and their kin, the caiman and gharials, and they are collectively all known as crocodilians.’
- ‘Jaguars may have been their most important predators, but some are probably killed by anacondas and caimans.’
Pronunciation
Origin
Late 16th century from Spanish caimán, Portuguese caimão, from Carib acayuman.
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