Snake n. Zool. Any species of the order Ophidia; an ophidian; a serpent, whether harmless or venomous. See Ophidia, and Serpent.
Note: ☞ Snakes are abundant in all warm countries, and much the larger number are harmless to man.
Blind snake, Garter snake, Green snake, King snake, Milk snake, Rock snake, Water snake, etc. See under Blind, Garter, etc.
Fetich snake Zool., a large African snake (Python Sebae) used by the natives as a fetich.
Ringed snake Zool., a common European columbrine snake (Tropidonotus natrix).
Snake eater. Zool. (a) The markhoor. (b) The secretary bird.
Snake fence, a worm fence (which see). [U.S.]
Snake fly Zool., any one of several species of neuropterous insects of the genus Rhaphidia; -- so called because of their large head and elongated neck and prothorax.
Snake gourd Bot., a cucurbitaceous plant (Trichosanthes anguina) having the fruit shorter and less snakelike than that of the serpent cucumber.
Snake killer. Zool. (a) The secretary bird. (b) The chaparral cock.
Snake moss Bot., the common club moss (Lycopodium clavatum). See Lycopodium.
Snake nut Bot., the fruit of a sapindaceous tree (Ophiocaryon paradoxum) of Guiana, the embryo of which resembles a snake coiled up.
Tree snake Zool., any one of numerous species of colubrine snakes which habitually live in trees, especially those of the genus Dendrophis and allied genera.
Gar·ter n.
1. A band used to prevent a stocking from slipping down on the leg.
2. The distinguishing badge of the highest order of knighthood in Great Britain, called the Order of the Garter, instituted by Edward III.; also, the Order itself.
3. Her. Same as Bendlet.
Garter fish Zool., a fish of the genus Lepidopus, having a long, flat body, like the blade of a sword; the scabbard fish.
Garter king-at-arms, the chief of the official heralds of England, king-at-arms to the Order of the Garter; -- often abbreviated to Garter.
Garter snake Zool., one of several harmless American snakes of the genus Eutænia, of several species (esp. E. saurita and E. sirtalis); one of the striped snakes; -- so called from its conspicuous stripes of color.
garter snake
n : any of numerous nonvenomous longitudinally-striped
viviparous North American and Central American snakes
[syn: grass snake]