I. ˈsərpənt, ˈsə̄p-, ˈsəip-, dial ˈsärp- or ˈsȧp- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin serpent-, serpens, from present participle of serpere to creep; akin to Greek herpein to creep, Sanskrit sarpati he creeps, sarpa serpent
1.
a. archaic : a noxious creature (as a snake, crocodile, spider, or toad) that creeps, hisses, or stings
b. : snake ; especially : a large snake
c. : sea serpent
2. : devil 1
the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent — Revelations 12:9 (Authorized Version)
3. : a representation of a serpent especially in the form of an ornament
4. : a subtle treacherous malicious person or personified quality
a serpent that has betrayed your brother — Liam O'Flaherty
5. : a large cannon of the 15th to 17th centuries — compare bombard , serpentine V
6.
a. : a firework having a serpentine motion through the air or along the ground
b. : pharaoh's serpent
7.
a. : a bass wind instrument of the trumpet type having a cupped mouthpiece, a long serpentine-twisted conical wooden tube pierced with finger holes, and a strong but coarse tone — compare cornet 1a
b. : a pipe-organ reed stop with a trombone tone
8. : a pale green that is bluer and stronger than celadon gray and yellower and darker than spray green
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: French serpenter, from Middle French, from serpent
: to wind or turn like a serpent : meander
old rocks want monstrous roots to serpent among them — Robinson Jeffers