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 Suddenly, the form of the coiling serpent dangling from the tree by her head is seen to match the shape of her own spiraling hair, which is directly adjacent. Christopher Knight, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024 The ancient serpent lived in the steamy swamps of the Eocene over 40 million years ago, in what is now northeastern Colombia. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2024 However, the serpent was also an important religious symbol. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023 His role in Kid's story emerges, shakily, in the last section of the film, but until then, his phony radiance and pious pronouncements mark him as a power-mad serpent who can't be trusted. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024 Experts said the badge depicts a basilisk dragon, which in ancient times was a mythological monster-like serpent known to kill its prey with just a look or a breath. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 Think instead of the serpent’s sunnier side—as rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 No stranger to getting inked, Fox has amassed over 20 tattoos in her lifetime, from her dainty celestial finger markings to the slithering serpent (done by artists Jesse Krydick and Syd Smith) covering her old dedication to ex-husband Brian Austin Green. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2024 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

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 23 Apr. 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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