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Definition of moorish gecko

moorish gecko

Plural:Moorish geckos
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moorish gecko Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A robust species of nocturnal lizard native to the western Mediterranean region and North Africa, characterized by its prominently tubercled, spiky skin and ability to easily climb vertical walls.

Example

"While vacationing in southern Spain, we frequently saw a Moorish gecko hunting insects near the outdoor lights of our villa."

Word Origin & Etymology

The name combines 'Moorish', referring to the Moors of North Africa and the western Mediterranean (the species' native range), and 'gecko', derived via Dutch from Malay 'gekoq', an imitation of the lizard's vocalizations.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Moorish gecko. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/moorish gecko
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