alligatoring

al·li·ga·tor·ing

(ăl′ĭ-gā′tər-ĭng)

The formation of cracks on the surface of paint layers.

[From the resemblance of the cracks to the pattern of an alligator's scales.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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References in classic literature

"As between man and woman," she answered, "it would be too terribly--er--indecent for you to tell me why I shouldn't go alligatoring. Good-night.

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