alligatoring

1. 1
   noununcountable

   A pattern of cracks in dried paint that breaks it into many small patches.

   Like the cracked pattern you see in a patch of dried mud.

   The old door showed alligatoring where the paint had dried badly.

   Years of sun caused alligatoring across the painted fence.

   Note
2. 2
   noununcountable

   A pattern of cracks in the top layer of a flat roof, like an alligator's skin.

   Like the dry, cracked skin on your hands in cold weather.

   The inspector found alligatoring on the old garage roof.

   Summer heat had caused alligatoring across the entire flat roof.

   Note
3. 3
   noununcountable

   A flaw in rolled metal where the sheet splits open at one end like an open mouth.

   Like a piece of bread splitting into two layers when you pull it apart.

   The mill rejected the bar because of alligatoring at the end.

   Alligatoring ruined several sheets during the rolling run.

   Note
4. 4
   verb

   Present participle of alligator. Use this -ing form for cracking that is happening now.

   The paint is alligatoring in the hot sun.

   You can see the varnish alligatoring near the window frame.

   Note

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