green snake
- noun
- South African
:
serpiente verde
- The green snake is often found in the grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa.
Examples
-
Researchers observed a green snake basking on a tree branch near the river.
-
I saw a green snake in the garden.
-
Many bird species prey on the eggs of the green snake in the wild.
-
Look at that green snake!
-
Researchers observed a green snake basking on a tree branch near the river.
-
The green snake is often found in the grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa.
-
Many bird species prey on the eggs of the green snake in the wild.
Synonyms
427
1.0
A long animal without legs covered in scales that sometimes has poison
A group of green African snakes that often live in trees
A mostly non-venomous snake that lives on land, in trees, or near water
A type of snake that is usually not venomous and lives on land, in trees or in water
A thin bright green snake that lives in trees and shrubs and is not poisonous
A thin bright green snake with rough scales that is harmless and lives in the southern and eastern United States
A small thin green snake that is harmless to people and lives in grassy areas
A group of small bright green snakes that includes the smooth and rough types in North America
A thin snake with smooth green scales, not poisonous, living in meadows and open woods in the United States
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a snake that is green' is directly and transparently derived from combining the adjective 'green' (a color) with the noun 'snake' (a reptile). This simple adjective–noun composition is cross-linguistically common and involves no idiomatic or metaphorical shift, so a B1 learner who knows both words will understand the MWE.
Etymology
The name green snake comes from the simple idea of a snake with green skin often seen on trees and in grass. That's why green snake is used for various green, usually not poisonous snakes found in Africa.