alligatoring


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al·li·ga·tor·ing

 (ăl′ĭ-gā′tər-ĭng)
n.
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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"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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