flying gecko
flying gecko Lexical Profile
• noun
Any of several species of arboreal geckos, traditionally placed in the genus Ptychozoon, native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, characterized by extensive flaps of skin along their sides, tails, and webbed feet that allow them to camouflage against bark and parachute or glide from tree to tree.
"During our night hike in the jungles of Malaysia, the guide pointed his flashlight upward just in time to illuminate a flying gecko gliding gracefully between two tall canopy trees."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from its descriptive ability to glide (or 'fly') between trees using specialized skin flaps, combined with 'gecko', a word originating from the Malay 'gekoq', which is an imitation of the lizard's vocalizations.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.