water moccasin

water moccasin
1. the cottonmouth.
2. any of various similar but harmless snakes, as a water snake of the genus Nerodia.
[1815-25, Amer.]

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Either of two species of pit viper that inhabits marshy lowlands of the southeastern U.S. and Mexico.

The U.S. species (Agkistrodon piscivorus) is called a cottonmouth because it threatens with the mouth open, showing the white interior. It is up to 5 ft (1.5 m) long and is completely black or brown with darker crossbands. A dangerous snake with a potentially lethal bite, it tends to stand its ground or move slowly away when alarmed. It will eat almost any small animal, including turtles, fishes, and birds. See also copperhead.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Water moccasin — Wa ter moc ca*sin (Zo[ o]l.) A venomous North American snake ({Ancistrodon piscivorus}) allied to the rattlesnake but destitute of a rattle. It lives in or about pools and ponds, and feeds largely of fishes. Called also {water snake}, {water… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • water moccasin — ☆ water moccasin n. a large, poisonous, olive brown pit viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) with dark crossbars, found along or in rivers and swamps in the SE U.S.; cottonmouth: often confused with various harmless snakes, esp. several water snakes… …   English World dictionary

  • water moccasin — noun 1. venomous semiaquatic snake of swamps in southern United States • Syn: ↑cottonmouth, ↑cottonmouth moccasin, ↑Agkistrodon piscivorus • Hypernyms: ↑pit viper • Member Holonyms: ↑Agkistrodon, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • water moccasin — cottonmouth cottonmouth n. venomous semiaquatic snake ({Agkistrodon piscivorus}) of swamps in southern U.S.; called also {water moccasin}, {cottonmouth moccasin}, and {cottonmouth water moccasin}. It grows to a length of about 4 feet. The name… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • water moccasin — noun Date: circa 1821 1. a venomous semiaquatic pit viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) chiefly of the southeastern United States that is closely related to the copperhead called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin 2. a harmless American colubrid… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • water moccasin — n. type of poisonous semiaquatic snake that lives in swamps and is found in southern United States, cottonmouth, moccasin; snake that looks like a poisonous water moccasin but is harmless …   English contemporary dictionary

  • water moccasin — water moc·ca·sin .mäk ə sən n a venomous semiaquatic pit viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) of the southern U.S. closely related to the copperhead called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin * * * Agkistrodon piscivorus, a venomous semiaquatic… …   Medical dictionary

  • water moccasin — noun (C) a poisonous North American snake that lives in water …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • water moccasin — wa′ter moc casin n. 1) ram the cottonmouth 2) ram any of various similar but harmless snakes, as a water snake of the genus Nerodia[/ex] …   From formal English to slang

  • cottonmouth water moccasin — moccasin moc ca*sin, n. [An Indian word. Algonquin makisin.] [Sometimes written {moccason}.] 1. A shoe made of deerskin, or other soft leather, the sole and upper part being one piece. It is the customary shoe worn by the American Indians. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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