from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Snake \Snake\, n. [AS. snaca; akin to LG. snake, schnake, Icel.
sn[=a]kr, sn?kr, Dan. snog, Sw. snok; of uncertain origin.]
(Zool.)
Any species of the order Ophidia; an ophidian; a serpent,
whether harmless or venomous. See {Ophidia}, and {Serpent}.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Snakes are abundant in all warm countries, and much the
larger number are harmless to man.
[1913 Webster]
{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.
[1913 Webster]