Gekko

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small to medium-sized lizard belonging to the family Gekkonidae, known for its distinctive calls and ability to climb smooth surfaces
2. A type of lizard characterized by its ability to adhere to different surfaces with specialized toe pads and often exhibits bright colors
3. A member of a diverse family of lizards noted for their vocalizations and some species' nocturnal habits, commonly found in warm climates

Etymology: The lizard's name is an imitation of its call. Many geckos chirp or click, and the word is thought to echo that sound, probably drawn from a Malay form such as "gekok" or "gekoq". Those forms are not securely attested, so the imitative origin is a plausible explanation rather than a settled fact. English first met the word in the early 18th century, when it appeared in the forms "chacco" (1711) and "jackoa" (1724) before the spelling settled. The form "gekko" was most likely borrowed from Dutch, in which it was recorded in 1718, and European languages took it up around the same time. Another proposal links it to the Acehnese "gèh-gòh", meaning "busy", but the connection is uncertain.

Synonyms: gecko, lizard