diamondback rattlesnake

diamondback rattlesnake
Rattlesnake Rat"tle*snake` (r[a^]t"t'l*sn[=a]k`), n. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of venomous American snakes belonging to the genera {Crotalus} and {Caudisona}, or {Sistrurus}; sometimes also called {rattler}. They have a series of horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail which make a sharp rattling sound when shaken. The common rattlesnake of the Northern United States ({Crotalus horridus}), and the {diamondback rattlesnake} (also called {diamondback rattler}, and {diamondback}) of the South and East ({Crotalus adamanteus}) and West ({Crotalus atrox}), are the best known. See Illust. of {Fang}. [1913 Webster +PJC]

{Ground rattlesnake} (Zo["o]l.), a small rattlesnake ({Caudisona miliaria} or {Sistrurus miliaria}) of the Southern United States, having a small rattle. It has nine large scales on its head.

{Rattlesnake fern} (Bot.), a common American fern ({Botrychium Virginianum}) having a triangular decompound frond and a long-stalked panicle of spore cases rising from the middle of the frond.

{Rattlesnake grass} (Bot.), a handsome American grass ({Glyceria Canadensis}) with an ample panicle of rather large ovate spikelets, each one composed of imbricated parts and slightly resembling the rattle of the rattlesnake. Sometimes called {quaking grass}.

{Rattlesnake plantain} (Bot.), See under {Plantain}.

{Rattlesnake root} (Bot.), a name given to certain American species of the composite genus {Prenanthes} ({Prenanthes alba} and {Prenanthes serpentaria}), formerly asserted to cure the bite of the rattlesnake. Called also {lion's foot}, {gall of the earth}, and {white lettuce}.

{Rattlesnake's master} (Bot.) (a) A species of Agave ({Agave Virginica}) growing in the Southern United States. (b) An umbelliferous plant ({Eryngium yucc[ae]folium}) with large bristly-fringed linear leaves. (c) A composite plant, the blazing star ({Liatris squarrosa}).

{Rattlesnake weed} (Bot.), a plant of the composite genus {Hieracium} ({Hieracium venosum}); -- probably so named from its spotted leaves. See also {Snakeroot}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Diamondback rattlesnake — may refer to: Crotalus adamanteus, a.k.a. the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, a venomous pitviper species found in the southeastern United States. Crotalus atrox, a.k.a. the western diamondback rattlesnake, a venomous pitviper species found in… …   Wikipedia

  • diamondback rattlesnake — noun large deadly rattlesnake with diamond shaped markings • Syn: ↑diamondback, ↑Crotalus adamanteus • Hypernyms: ↑rattlesnake, ↑rattler * * * noun : the largest and most deadly snake ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • diamondback rattlesnake — either of two large, highly venomous rattlesnakes of the genus Crotalus, having diamond shaped markings on the back. Cf. eastern diamondback rattlesnake, western diamondback rattlesnake. [1890 95] * * * …   Universalium

  • diamondback rattlesnake — di·a·mond·back rattlesnake dī (ə )mən(d) .bak n either of two large and deadly rattlesnakes of the genus Crotalus (C. adamanteus of the southeastern U.S. and C. atrox of the south central and southwestern U.S. and Mexico) called also diamondback …   Medical dictionary

  • diamondback rattlesnake — noun Date: 1894 either of two large and deadly rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus of the southeastern United States and C. atrox of the south central and southwestern United States and Mexico) called also diamondback, diamondback rattler …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • diamondback rattlesnake — noun Either of two venomous rattlesnakes, of the genus Crotalus, from southern United States and Mexico, that have diamond shaped markings on their backs: Crotalus adamanteus and Crotalus atrox …   Wiktionary

  • Western diamondback rattlesnake — noun largest and most dangerous North American snake; of southwestern United States and Mexico • Syn: ↑Western diamondback, ↑Crotalus atrox • Hypernyms: ↑rattlesnake, ↑rattler • Member Holonyms: ↑Crotalus, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • eastern diamondback rattlesnake — an extremely venomous diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus, of the southeastern U.S. * * * eastern diamondback rattlesnake, a rattlesnake with diamond shaped markings, found from Louisiana to North Carolina …   Useful english dictionary

  • eastern diamondback rattlesnake — an extremely venomous diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus, of the southeastern U.S. * * * …   Universalium

  • western diamondback rattlesnake — an extremely venomous diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox, of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. * * * …   Universalium

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