goanna

[ goh-an-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of the several large monitor lizards of the family Varanidae, of Australia, especially Varanus varius and V. giganteus, both sometimes growing to 6 feet (1.8 meters).

goanna

/ ɡəʊˈænə /

Origin of goanna¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; aphetic form of iguana

Origin of goanna¹

C19: sense 1 changed from iguana ; sense 2 from rhyming slang pianna

He had nearly reached its mouth when a great greasy black goanna clambered up a sapling from under his feet and looked fightable.

He ran round to the other side of the hut, and there was a great black goanna in violent convulsions on the ground.

The monitor is popularly known as the goanna, a name derived from the iguana, an entirely different animal.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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