Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Serpent
Ser′pent
,Noun.
[F., fr. L.
serpens
, -entis
(sc. bestia
), fr. serpens
, p. pr. of serpere
to creep; akin to Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK], Skr. sarp
, and perhaps to L. repere
, E. reptile
. Cf. Herpes
.] 1.
(Zool.)
Any reptile of the order Ophidia; a snake, especially a large snake. See Illust. under
Ophidia
. ☞ The serpents are mostly long and slender, and move partly by bending the body into undulations or folds and pressing them against objects, and partly by using the free edges of their ventral scales to cling to rough surfaces. Many species glide swiftly over the ground, some burrow in the earth, others live in trees. A few are entirely aquatic, and swim rapidly. See
Ophidia
, and Fang
. 2.
Fig.: A subtle, treacherous, malicious person.
3.
A species of firework having a serpentine motion as it passess through the air or along the ground.
4.
(Astron.)
The constellation Serpens.
5.
(Mus.)
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.
Pharaoh’s serpent
(Chem.)
, mercuric sulphocyanate, a combustible white substance which in burning gives off a poisonous vapor and leaves a peculiar brown voluminous residue which is expelled in a serpentine from. It is employed as a scientific toy.
– Serpent cucumber
(Bot.)
, the long, slender, serpentine fruit of the cucurbitaceous plant
– Trichosanthes colubrina
; also, the plant itself. Serpent eage
(Zool.)
, any one of several species of raptorial birds of the genera
– Circaetus
and Spilornis
, which prey on serpents. They inhabit Africa, Southern Europe, and India. The European serpent eagle is Circaetus Gallicus
. Serpent eater
. (Zool.)
(a)
The secretary bird
. (b)
An Asiatic antelope; the markhoor.
– Serpent fish
(Zool.)
, a fish (
– Cepola rubescens
) with a long, thin, compressed body, and a band of red running lengthwise. Serpent star
(Zool.)
, an ophiuran; a brittle star.
– Serpent's tongue
(Paleon.)
, the fossil tooth of a shark; – so called from its resemblance to a tongue with its root.
– Serpent withe
(Bot.)
, a West Indian climbing plant (
– Aristolochia odoratissima
). Tree serpent
(Zool.)
, any species of African serpents belonging to the family
Dendrophidae
.Ser′pent
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Serpented
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Serpenting
.] To wind like a serpent; to crook about; to meander.
[R.]
“The serpenting of the Thames.” Evelyn.
Ser′pent
,Verb.
T.
To wind; to encircle.
[R.]
Evelyn.
Webster 1828 Edition
Serpent
SER'PENT
,Noun.
1. An animal of the order of Serpentes, [creepers, crawlers,] Of the class of Amphibia. Serpents are amphibious animals, breathing through the mouth bymeans of lungs only; having tapering bodies, without a distinct neck; the jaws not articulated, but dilatable, and withour feet, fins or ears. Serpents move along the earth by a winding motion, and with the head elevated. Some species of them are viviparous, or rather ovi-viviparous; others are oviparous; and several species are venomous.
2. In astronomy, a constellation of the northern hemisphere, containing, according to the British catalogue, sixty-four stars.
3. An instrument of music, serving as a base to the cornet or small shawm, to sustain a chorus of singers in a large edifice. It is so called for its folds or wreaths.
4. Figuratively, a subtil or malicious person.
5. In mythology, a symbol of the sun.