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copperhead snake

copperhead snake

7.7
A venomous snake with a copper-colored head and dark cross bands
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑːpərˌhɛd sneɪk/
  • US
translation icon : serpiente de cabeza de cobre

Virginia woman bitten by copperhead snake inside a LongHorn Steakhouse.

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Examples

  • You get bit by a copperhead snake, that's a venomous attack.

  • Virginia woman bitten by copperhead snake inside a LongHorn Steakhouse.

  • A copperhead snake is easily recognized by its distinctive cross-banded pattern and coppery-brown head.

  • During our hike, we spotted a copperhead snake sunbathing on the warm rocks.

  • It's important to be cautious in areas known for copperhead snakes, especially in the summer.

Synonyms

copperhead
vscopperhead snake
  • US
5 8.5

A snake that has poison and coppery brown skin found in Australia or the eastern United States

names the pit viper found in eastern and central United States with cross banding
Agkistrodon contortrix
vscopperhead snake
  • Specialized
9.9

A venomous snake with a copper-coloured head found in the eastern United States

is the general, nontechnical name for that species rather than the scientific term

Surface Forms

Morphology

copperhead + snake

The phrase is a straightforward, compositional noun phrase: 'copperhead' already denotes a particular venomous snake and adding 'snake' simply specifies the animal. This type of species naming is predictable and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will understand the meaning.

Etymology

Copperhead snake gets its name from the animal's head: the head looks like copper, a reddish metal, so people called the snake a copperhead. That's why the name now refers to the 'venomous' species found in parts of the United States.