Meaning
The common brown lizard that darts about on the ground, through leaf litter, and along yard walls, as opposed to the 'green lizard' that lives in trees. Harmless and quick, ground-lizards rustle away as you approach and are a constant part of yard and bush life.
Examples
-
A ground-lizard run cross di path.
A ground lizard ran across the path.
-
Di ground-lizard rustle inna di dry leaf.
The ground lizard rustles in the dry leaves.
-
Ground-lizard nuh trouble nobody.
The ground lizard doesn't bother anyone.
Origin
From 'ground' (where it lives) + 'lizard'; contrasted with the tree-dwelling green lizard. See [[green-lizard]], [[croaking-lizard]].
How it’s used
The common ground-dwelling brown lizard; vs. the tree 'green lizard'. See [[green-lizard]], [[galliwasp]].