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Glite Dictionary
gavial

gavial

1 9.9
A large crocodile with a very long thin snout that eats fish
  • noun
  • /ˈɡæv.i.əl/
  • Indian
translation icon : gavial
  • The museum has a large model of a gavial, showcasing its long, slender snout and sharp teeth.

Examples

  • The gavial is known for its long, slender snout.

  • Many gavials can be found in the rivers of India.

  • Scientists recently discovered a population of gavials in a remote stretch of river.

  • The gavial is easily recognized by its extremely long, narrow snout.

  • Unlike other crocodilians, the gavial feeds almost exclusively on fish.

  • Visitors at the wildlife reserve were excited to see a gavial swimming gracefully in the river.

  • In India, the gavial is known for its specialized diet that mainly includes fish.

Synonyms

gharial
vsgavial
  • Indian
1 9.9

A large crocodile with a very long narrow snout that eats fish in rivers in India and nearby countries

is the same animal but with a long, slender snout less extreme in narrowness
Gavialis gangeticus
vsgavial
  • Specialized
9.9

A large crocodile that eats fish and has a long thin snout found in India

is the common word for the same animal rather than the Latin name

Compounds

false gavial
  • Specialized
9.9

A slender crocodile with a long narrow snout from Southeast Asia

Surface Forms

gavial singular
gavials plural

Etymology

Gavial comes from an Indian name, like Hindi gharial, and is linked to ghara which means 'pot'. A helpful way to remember it is that adult males have a pot-like bump on their long, thin snout, so the name points to this fish-eating crocodile's unusual nose.