Serpent
['sɜːp(ə)nt] or ['sɝpənt]
Definition
(noun.) an obsolete bass cornet; resembles a snake.
(noun.) a firework that moves in serpentine manner when ignited.
Edited by Kathleen--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Any reptile of the order Ophidia; a snake, especially a large snake. See Illust. under Ophidia.
(n.) Fig.: A subtle, treacherous, malicious person.
(n.) A species of firework having a serpentine motion as it passess through the air or along the ground.
(n.) The constellation Serpens.
(n.) A bass wind instrument, of a loud and coarse tone, formerly much used in military bands, and sometimes introduced into the orchestra; -- so called from its form.
(v. i.) To wind like a serpent; to crook about; to meander.
(v. t.) To wind; to encircle.
Typed by Konrad
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Snake.
Checked by Calvin
Definition
n. any member of the genus Ophidia more popularly known as snakes—any reptile without feet which moves by means of its ribs and scales: a snake: a person treacherous or malicious: one of the constellations in the northern hemisphere: (mus.) a bass musical wind-instrument entirely obsolete except in a few Continental churches a tapered leather-covered wooden tube 8 feet long twisted about like a serpent.—v.i. to wind along: to meander.—v.t. to girdle as with the coils of a serpent.—ns. Serpentā′ria the Virginia snakeroot; Serpentā′rius the secretary-birds: the constellation Ophiuchus; Ser′pent-charm′er one who charms or has power over serpents; Ser′pent-charm′ing the art of charming or governing serpents; Ser′pent-cū′cumber a long-fruited variety of the musk-melon; Ser′pent-dē′ity the god of the Ophites Abraxas; Ser′pent-eat′er the secretary-bird: a wild goat in India and Cashmere; Ser′penteau an iron circle with spikes to which squibs are attached used in a breach.—n.pl. Serpent′es the second order of the third class of limbless reptiles.—ns. Ser′pent-fish the snake-fish; Ser′pent-grass the alpine bistort.—adjs. Serpent′iform ophidian in structure: snake-like; Ser′pentine resembling a serpent: winding tortuous: spiral: crooked.—n. a kind of firework: a 16th-cent. form of cannon: a mineral composed of silica and manganese generally occurring massive colour some shade of green also red and brownish-yellow.—v.i. to wind or wriggle like a serpent.—adv. Ser′pentinely.—adjs. Serpentin′ic Ser′pentinous.—adv. Serpentī′ningly with a serpentine motion.—v.t. Ser′pentinise to convert into serpentine.—v.i. Ser′pentise to wind: meander.—adj. Ser′pent-like like a serpent.—ns. Ser′pent-liz′ard a lizard of the genus Seps; Ser′pent-moss a greenhouse plant from the West Indies; Ser′pentry serpentine motion: a place infested by serpents: serpents collectively; Ser′pent-star a brittle star; Ser′pent-stone snake-stone adder-stone; Ser′pent's-tongue the adder's-tongue fern; Ser′pent-tur′tle an enaliosaur; Ser′pent-withe a twining plant of tropical America; Ser′pent-wood an East Indian shrub; Ser′pent-wor′ship one of the most ancient and widespread forms of primitive religion and still existing amongst many savage peoples; Sea′-ser′pent (see Sea).—Serpentine verse a verse which begins and ends with the same word.—The old serpent Satan.
Inputed by Brice
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of serpents, is indicative of cultivated morbidity and depressed surroundings. There is usually a disappointment after this dream. See Snakes and Reptiles.
Checker: Walter
Examples
- He returned Mr. Pott's gaze of stone, and in compliance with that gentleman's request, proceeded to make the most he could of the 'serpent. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Handsome some he was not, being small and dark, but he was as lithe as a serpent, and his dark eyes flashed with the fierce fire of genius. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Serpent, Sir,' repeated Mr. Pott, raising his voice, and then suddenly depressing it: 'I said, serpent, sir--make the most of it. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- But betray the lovely woman, and you shall find her a serpent. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The fat of the lion, hippopotamus, crocodile, goose, serpent, and wild goat, in equal parts, served as a prescription for baldness. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- The serpent was on the watch, the train was laid, the mine was preparing, the sapper and miner was at work. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The great serpent had got the father, and the son was dragged into the embrace of horrifying death along with him. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- If I were dealing with you, or with Maurice, I might not stoop to diplomatic lies; but as to that serpent of an Andros—pah! Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- He sat by the piano, with his watch-chain resting in folds, like a golden serpent, on the sea-green protuberance of his waistcoat. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Justinian is a serpent of wisdom, said the poet reflectively, taking off his sombrero. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- He'd be sharper than a serpent's tooth, if he wasn't as dull as ditch water. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Glass snake is the name which has been given to a lizard resembling a serpent in form and reaching a length of three feet. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Nearly everywhere that Neolithic culture went, there went a disposition to associate the sun and the serpent in decoration and worship. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- It is that little serpent of a governess who rules him. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- The Venetian gondola is as free and graceful, in its gliding movement, as a serpent. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Neolithic man was enormously impressed by serpents--and he no longer took the sun for granted. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The rain fell, and the Smoke-serpents, submissive to the curse of all that tribe, trailed themselves upon the earth. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- She clung hold of his coat, of his hands; her own were all covered with serpents, and rings, and baubles. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Checker: Wayne