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Definition of flat lizard

flat lizard

Plural:flat lizards
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flat lizard Lexical Profile

• noun

1

South African Any of various highly sexually dimorphic lizards belonging to the genus Platysaurus, native to southern Africa and characterized by their exceptionally flattened bodies, which allow them to squeeze into narrow rock crevices to escape predators.

Example

"While surveying the remote rocky outcrops of Limpopo, the herpetologist spotted a vividly colored male flat lizard darting into a narrow crevice."

• Nearby Words

flashlightfish
flask
flat
flat lizard
flat-headed snake
flatback sea turtle
flatback turtle

Word Origin & Etymology

A descriptive compound noun referring directly to the exceptionally depressed morphology of these lizards, an evolutionary adaptation for hiding in rock fissures.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Flat lizard. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/flat lizard
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