ringneck snake
- noun
- /ˈrɪŋˌnɛk sneɪk/
- US
:
serpiente de cuello anillado
- The ringneck snake is often found in gardens, where it feeds on small amphibians.
Examples
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I spotted a striking ringneck snake slithering through the grass during my hike.
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Children are often fascinated by the bright yellow ring of a ringneck snake they encounter in the wild.
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Northern ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsi) inhabits the mountains and generally has a complete neck ring and unpatterned underside.
Blog text (12)
Synonyms
A small harmless snake with a yellow or orange ring around its neck
A small harmless snake with a pale ring around its neck
A harmless snake with a bright ring around its neck found in North America or Europe
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is fully compositional: 'ringneck' specifies a ringed neck and 'snake' names the animal, so the combined meaning—a snake with a ring around its neck—is directly derivable from the parts. This follows a common adjective/modifier + noun pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Ringneck snake comes from the small snake's bright ring around its neck, like a tiny necklace. That's why the name means a small 'not poisonous' snake with a yellow or orange ring.
