indigo snake
- noun
- /ˈɪndɪɡoʊ sneɪk/
- US
:
serpiente índigo
- The indigo snake is a fascinating creature.
- tortoise and indigo snake
- black indigo snake
Examples
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The indigo snake is one of the largest native snakes in the United States.
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We spotted an indigo snake slithering across the path during our hike.
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Because it's nonvenomous, the indigo snake is often welcomed by farmers.
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Many people admire the beauty of the indigo snake.
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The indigo snake is known for its shiny, dark-blue skin and is often found in the swamps of southern North America.
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During our hike, we spotted an indigo snake basking in the sun, its sleek body glimmering in the light.
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Wildlife experts studied the habitat of the indigo snake to understand how it invades the burrows of other animals.
Synonyms
A large not poisonous dark blue snake that lives in southern North America and Mexico
A large nonvenomous snake with shiny blue-black skin that lives in the southeastern United States
Surface Forms
Morphology
A B1 learner who knows 'indigo' (a deep blue–violet color) and 'snake' (a reptile) will readily interpret 'indigo snake' as a snake that is indigo‑colored; the color + noun compound follows a transparent and cross‑linguistically common pattern. While specific species details (large size, nonvenomous, geographic range) are not predictable from the constituents, the basic referential meaning is clearly derivable from the words.
Etymology
Indigo snake gets its name from its deep, shiny blue color. Indigo means deep blue and snake is the animal. So the name helps you remember a large, dark-blue, 'not poisonous' snake.
