any small arboreal tropical American insectivorous lizards of the genus Anolis, such as A. carolinensis (green anole): family Iguanidae (iguanas). They are able to change the colour of their skin
Also called: American chameleon
Word origin
C18 annolis, from French anolis, from Carib anoli
anole in American English
(əˈnoʊli)
noun
any of a genus (Anolis, esp. A. carolinensis) of New World, tropical, arboreal lizards that can change color