serpent

noun

ser·​pent ˈsər-pənt How to pronounce serpent (audio)
1
a
archaic : a noxious creature that creeps, hisses, or stings
b
: snake
2
3
: a treacherous person

Examples of serpent in a Sentence

an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl beware the temptations of the serpent
Recent Examples on the Web Snake’s Jungle The scene is a bamboo forest, in which a reticulated serpent in bright hues of blue and green, rears its head. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 In the shadowed corners of the Middle East, where ancient trade routes twist like serpents through the desert, lies an obscure outpost in Jordan called Tower 22 (T-22). Armstrong Williams, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2024 The roots of the tree display a sinuous orange serpent captured in glass, immortalizing the moment before Eve is tempted by the apple. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Praying five times a day helps keep these and other emotional serpents at bay. Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Her nails, created by her go-to nail artist Coca Michelle, are reminiscent of a serpent's fangs with dramatic, razor-sharp points. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 13 Feb. 2024 While intrepid archeologist Indiana Jones is a notorious serpent hater, Ford is pleased to share his name with the new species. Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2023 Last night, in New York, the musician was photographed in a pair of Jimmy Choo and Jean Paul Gaultier’s tattoo-effect shoes–figured in wailing serpents and gothic lettering–that Swifties are reading as a tacit signal of Reputation’s re-release. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 11 Jan. 2024 Based on the novel by Sarah Perry, The Essex Serpent is an atmospheric period drama centered on Cora Seaborne (Claire Danes), a London widow and amateur scientist, who travels to Essex in search of a mythical serpent. Jace Lacob, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'serpent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of serpent was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near serpent

Cite this Entry

“Serpent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serpent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

serpent

noun
ser·​pent ˈsər-pənt How to pronounce serpent (audio)
: a usually large snake

More from Merriam-Webster on serpent

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