lacertid

plural lacertids

1. Any lizard of the family Lacertidae.

   Lacertid scalation and body forms are similar to those of the teiids, although lacertids are usually smaller.

   1993, George R. Zug, Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles, page 427

   2 more examples

   Lacertids are distinguished by a section of large, flat scales on the undersides of their necks.[…]Teiids are the New World counterparts to lacertids.

   2004, Daniel A. Greenberg, Lizards, page 33

   Lacertid teeth are hollow at the base (teiid teeth are solid). Virtually all lacertids are terrestrial or rock-dwelling lizards, although a few species, including Holaspis and Takydromus, climb in vegetation, and at least one species appears to live high in trees.

   2006, Eric R. Pianka, Laurie J. Vitt, Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity, page 206

   Synonyms: true lizard, wall lizard

plural lacertids · alternative BL Lacertid · alternative Lacertid

1. astronomyA type of blazar (highly variable active galactic nucleus) that lacks spectral emission lines characteristic of quasars.

   In the same diagram a compact galaxy, 3C 371, and a Seyfert, 3C 120, lie very close to the Lacertids.

   1975 July 10, “Quasars and Lacertids show a family likeness”, in New Scientist, page 61

   2 more examples

   These reliably variable objects included three ROCOSs (OE 400, OI 090.4, and PI034-293) and two lacertids (AO 0235+164 and OJ 287).

   1990, Bulletin of the Special Astrophysical Observatory-North Caucasus, volumes 24-26, page 67

   We have identified six radio sources in the Zelenchuk (RATAN-600) catalog with two quasars, two lacertids, and two pairs of galaxies.

   1993, Astronomy Reports, volume 37, American Institute of Physics, page 466

   Synonyms: active galactic nucleus, blazar, BL Lac object, BL Lacertae object