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water moccasin
noun
1
: a venomous semiaquatic pit viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) chiefly of the southeastern U.S. that is closely related to the copperhead
called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin
2
: a harmless American colubrid water snake (genus Nerodia) resembling the true water moccasin
Examples of water moccasin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the Southeast, there are several venomous snakes that could potentially cause an injury to a human or pet: three species of rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback, timber, and pygmy), copperhead, cotton mouth (also known as water moccasins), and coral snake, says Maerz.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2024
Specifically that means pit vipers, which includes timber rattlesnakes (found in Connecticut) and copperheads and water moccasins.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2024
On their trek around the neighborhood, the officials saw a water moccasin – one of the snakes and frogs that have become a frequent sight in Shiloh – and a gas pipeline that was moved next to the Williams’ home as part of the highway project.
—Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024
The terms cottonmouth and water moccasin for this species are synonymous.
—Cole Sikes Communications and Marketing Specialist Alabama Cooperative Extension System, al, 25 Apr. 2023
Your party persona is reborn as that of an eel, a water moccasin, an otter, a seal, a gator.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
Many of these are naturally mistaken for the cottonmouth, or water moccasin, a venomous species that lives in and around the water.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 15 Aug. 2022
During a night shoot in the water, the cast and crew relocated after the water moccasin attack.
—Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 12 July 2022
There are four venomous snakes in Texas: coral snakes, copperheads, water moccasins (a.k.a.
—Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 8 June 2020
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Word History
First Known Use
circa 1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of water moccasin was
circa 1821
Dictionary Entries Near water moccasin
Cite this Entry
“Water moccasin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20moccasin. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
water moccasin
noun
: a poisonous pit viper of the southern U.S. that is closely related to the copperhead
called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin
Medical Definition
water moccasin
noun
water moc·ca·sin
-ˌmäk-ə-sən
: a venomous semiaquatic pit viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) of the southern United States closely related to the copperhead
called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin
More from Merriam-Webster on water moccasin
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for water moccasin
Nglish: Translation of water moccasin for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about water moccasin
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