copperhead

noun

cop·per·head | \ˈkä-pər-ˌhed

Definition of copperhead

1 : a common pit viper (Agkistrodon contortrix) of the eastern and central U.S. usually having a copper-colored head and often a reddish-brown hourglass pattern on the body

2 : a person in the northern states who sympathized with the South during the American Civil War

Examples of copperhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Warming weather means the start of the snake-bite season in the South Carolina Lowcountry and elsewhere, with residents warned to be on particular alert for copperheads.. — Joe Marusak, charlotteobserver, "Bear roams Duck, as Outer Banks town warns people to keep pets and children inside | Charlotte Observer," 24 May 2018 While copperheads are venomous, its venom is not particularly potent, Live Science reported. — Madeline Farber, Fox News, "Alabama girl, 9, bitten by copperhead snake hiding behind pool ladder," 28 June 2018 Piringer said the patient, who is in good condition, recognized the snake as a copperhead. — — Keith L. Alexander, — Martin Weil, Washington Post, "Local Digest: Killer of 3 in D.C. is sentenced to life in prison," 10 July 2018 Luckily, none of Chappell’s siblings who were also swimming that day were bitten by the copperhead. — Madeline Farber, Fox News, "Alabama girl, 9, bitten by copperhead snake hiding behind pool ladder," 28 June 2018 Beyond the yard is a creek where the copperheads are. — Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati.com, "Girl who lost parents to heroin starts over: `I want a family'," 27 June 2018 The licensed season for timber rattlesnakes and northern copperheads, one of Pennsylvania’s other venomous snakes, runs from the second Saturday in June until the end of July. — Jason Nark, Philly.com, "Venomous passion: Pennsylvania's snake hunters head to the hills," 20 June 2018 With six rattlesnake species native to Texas, not to mention all the state's copperheads, this may serve as an important cautionary tale for other homeowners who may be faced with a venomous snake on their property. — Christina Capatides, CBS News, "Severed rattlesnake head bites man who decapitated it," 6 June 2018 The Maryland Poison Center has received its first call of the year regarding a copperhead snakebite, the organization reported on Facebook and Twitter this week. — Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, "First copperhead snakebite in Maryland this year is reported," 19 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'copperhead.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

6 Nov 2018

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Time Traveler for copperhead

The first known use of copperhead was in 1775

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More Definitions for copperhead

copperhead

noun

English Language Learners Definition of copperhead

: a poisonous reddish-brown snake of the eastern and central U.S.

See the full definition for copperhead in the English Language Learners Dictionary

copperhead

noun

cop·per·head | \ˈkä-pər-ˌhed

Kids Definition of copperhead

: a poisonous snake of the eastern and central United States with a reddish brown head

copperhead

noun

cop·per·head | \ˈkäp-ər-ˌhed

Medical Definition of copperhead

1 : a pit viper (Agkistrodon contortrix) widely distributed in upland areas of the eastern and central United States that typically attains a length of three feet (0.9 meter), is coppery brown above with dark transverse blotches, and is capable of inflicting a very painful but rarely fatal bite

2 : a very venomous but sluggish Australian elapid snake of the genus Denisonia (D. superba)