rattlesnake
noun
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Definition of rattlesnake
: any of several American pit vipers (genera Crotalus and Sistrurus) that have horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail which make a sharp rattling sound when shaken
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Examples of rattlesnake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jennifer Trask uses rattlesnake and python ribs and nails to make a bouquet of Queen Anne’s lace. — Thomas Hine, Philly.com, "Brandywine River Museum's new exhibit finds scary beauty in the realm of decay," 5 July 2018 In an unusual and downright terrifying incident, one local resident went to use their pool noodles and found a rattlesnake and its babies tucked away inside. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Snakes Could Be Hiding in Pool Noodles, Arizona Fire Dept. Warns," 27 June 2018 The potential long-term effect on populations of rattlesnakes and other snakes remains uncertain. — Justin L. Mack, Indianapolis Star, "This fatal disease is disfiguring endangered Indiana snakes," 17 May 2018 Northern Pacific rattlesnake venom contains a protein that functions identically. — Kyle Dickman, Outside Online, "A Rattle with Death in Yosemite," 20 June 2018 Texas Parks and Wildlife Texas indigo snakes are nonvenomous and are actually immune to rattlesnake venom, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. — Matthew Martinez, star-telegram, "When a 6-foot snake slithered out of his toilet, dad knocked son over running away, he says," 12 June 2018 But by the end of that day in late May, Jeremy Sutcliffe would be in a coma, his body ravaged by rattlesnake venom and doctors unsure whether the 40-year-old would survive. — Allyson Chiu, chicagotribune.com, "A Texas man decapitated a rattlesnake. It bit him anyway and he nearly died, his wife says.," 7 June 2018 Alternatively, rattlesnake venom can also inhibit clotting, a phenomenon known as anti-coagulation, which can in turn cause excessive bleeding. — Christina Capatides, CBS News, "Kayaker hospitalized after rattlesnake falls from a tree and bites him," 22 May 2018 In 1978, an ex-journalist investigating Synanon, a California drug rehab program that became a cult, was treated to a rattlesnake in his mailbox. — Anna Orso, Philly.com, "Following Annapolis shooting, journalists contemplate angry readers, death threats and backlash," 29 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rattlesnake.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for rattlesnake
rattlesnake
noun
English Language Learners Definition of rattlesnake
: a poisonous American snake with a group of hard, loose pieces (called scales) at the end of its tail that it shakes to make a noise
See the full definition for rattlesnake in the English Language Learners Dictionary
rattlesnake
noun
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Kids Definition of rattlesnake
: a poisonous American snake with a rattle at the end of its tail
rattlesnake
noun
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Medical Definition of rattlesnake
: any of the American pit vipers that have a series of horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail which make a sharp rattling sound when vibrated and that comprise the genera Sistrurus and Crotalus — see diamondback rattlesnake, tiger rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake
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