- Snake
- Snake Snake, n. [AS. snaca; akin to LG. snake, schnake, Icel.
sn[=a]kr, sn?kr, Dan. snog, Sw. snok; of uncertain origin.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any species of the order Ophidia; an ophidian; a serpent,
whether harmless or venomous. See {Ophidia}, and {Serpent}.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Snakes are abundant in all warm countries, and much the larger number are harmless to man. [1913 Webster]
{Blind snake}, {Garter snake}, {Green snake}, {King snake}, {Milk snake}, {Rock snake}, {Water snake}, etc. See under {Blind}, {Garter}, etc.
{Fetich snake} (Zo["o]l.), a large African snake ({Python Seb[ae]}) used by the natives as a fetich.
{Ringed snake} (Zo["o]l.), a common European columbrine snake ({Tropidonotus natrix}).
{Snake eater}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The markhoor. (b) The secretary bird.
{Snake fence}, a worm fence (which see). [U.S.]
{Snake fly} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of neuropterous insects of the genus {Rhaphidia}; -- so called because of their large head and elongated neck and prothorax.
{Snake gourd} (Bot.), a cucurbitaceous plant ({Trichosanthes anguina}) having the fruit shorter and less snakelike than that of the serpent cucumber.
{Snake killer}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The secretary bird. (b) The chaparral cock.
{Snake moss} (Bot.), the common club moss ({Lycopodium clavatum}). See {Lycopodium}.
{Snake nut} (Bot.), the fruit of a sapindaceous tree ({Ophiocaryon paradoxum}) of Guiana, the embryo of which resembles a snake coiled up.
{Tree snake} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of colubrine snakes which habitually live in trees, especially those of the genus {Dendrophis} and allied genera. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.