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Definition of lace monitor
lace monitor
Plural:lace monitors
lace monitor Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large species of arboreal monitor lizard (Varanus varius) native to the forests and coastal regions of eastern Australia, distinguished by its dark body covered in a network of yellow or cream lace-like bands and spots.
Example
"While hiking through the eucalyptus forest in Queensland, we spotted a massive lace monitor scaling the trunk of a tree in search of bird nests."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for lace monitor• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The common name derives from the intricate, web-like yellow or cream patterns on its dark scales, resembling lace. 'Monitor' refers to its belonging to the family Varanidae, a group of lizards historically thought to 'monitor' their surroundings or warn of the presence of crocodiles.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lace monitor. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lace monitor