n. & v.
n. 1 a any long limbless reptile of the suborder Ophidia, including boas, pythons, and poisonous forms such as cobras and vipers. b a limbless lizard or amphibian. 2 (also snake in the grass) a treacherous person or secret enemy. 3 (prec. by the) a system of interconnected exchange rates for the EEC currencies.
v.intr. move or twist like a snake. snake bird a fish-eating bird, Anhinga anhinga, with a long slender neck. snake-charmer a person appearing to make snakes move by music etc. snake-pit 1 a pit containing snakes. 2 a scene of vicious behaviour. snakes and ladders a game with counters moved along a board with advances up 'ladders' or returns down 'snakes' depicted on the board. snake's head a bulbous plant, Fritillaria meleagris, with bell-shaped pendent flowers. snakelike adj.
[ OE snaca ]