Word
gecko
US/ˈɡɛkoʊ/
UK/ɡˈɛkəʊ/
Definition
n. a small lizard with large eyes that can climb smooth walls and walk on ceilings.
n. any lizard of the infraorder Gekkota, typically nocturnal and possessing adhesive lamellae on the feet for climbing.
Examples
“The gecko climbed the glass wall of the house.”
“We saw a small gecko hiding in the leaves of the garden during the evening.”
“The gecko's remarkable ability to change its skin color is a sophisticated form of camouflage that allows it to blend seamlessly into its rocky habitat.”
Examples
simple
“The gecko climbed the glass wall of the house.”
contextual
“We saw a small gecko hiding in the leaves of the garden during the evening.”
complex
“The gecko's remarkable ability to change its skin color is a sophisticated form of camouflage that allows it to blend seamlessly into its rocky habitat.”
Etymology
The modern form was probably borrowed into English and other European languages from Dutch gekko (1718). Contemporary English forms were chacco (1711) and jackoa (1724). The further origin is not quite clear. Some sources mention a supposed Malay gekok, gekoq, or gekop, which would be imitative of the gecko’s chirping sound. Another theory derives it from Acehnese gèh-gòh (“busy”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/gecko