serpent

ser·pent

noun \ˈsər-pənt\

: a usually large snake

Full Definition of SERPENT

1

a archaic :  a noxious creature that creeps, hisses, or stings

b :  snake

2

:  devil 1

3

:  a treacherous person

Examples of SERPENT

1. <an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl>
2. <beware the temptations of the serpent>

Origin of SERPENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin serpent-, serpens, from present participle of serpere to creep; akin to Greek herpein to creep, Sanskrit sarpati he creeps

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SERPENT

Synonyms

snake, viper

Related Words

adder, anaconda, asp, black racer, blacksnake, blue racer, boa, bull snake, bushmaster, chicken snake, cobra, constrictor, copperhead, coral snake, cottonmouth moccasin, diamondback rattlesnake, fer-de-lance, garter snake, gopher snake, green snake, hognose snake, horned viper, indigo snake, king cobra, king snake, krait, mamba, milk snake, moccasin, pine snake, pit viper, puff adder, python, racer, rat snake, rattlesnake, sea serpent, sea snake, sidewinder, taipan, water moccasin, water snake, worm snake