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Glite Dictionary
Agkistrodon contortrix

Agkistrodon contortrix

9.9
A venomous snake with a copper-coloured head found in the eastern United States
  • noun
  • /ˌæɡkɪˈstrɒdɒn kənˈtɔːrtrɪks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Agkistrodon contortrix
  • If you see a snake with a coppery head in the woods, it might be an Agkistrodon contortrix.

Examples

  • When hiking in the woods, be cautious of the Agkistrodon contortrix, as it is a venomous snake.

  • The Agkistrodon contortrix is widely distributed across the eastern and central United States.

  • Researchers studied the behavior of Agkistrodon contortrix in its natural habitat.

  • The Agkistrodon contortrix is often found in wooded areas.

  • In Virginia, the Agkistrodon contortrix is a common sight.

  • The Agkistrodon contortrix blends effectively with its surroundings, making it hard to spot in the leaf litter.

  • A person was surprised to see an Agkistrodon contortrix basking in the sun near a rocky outcrop.

Synonyms

copperhead
vsAgkistrodon contortrix
  • US
5 8.5

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

refers specifically to the upland eastern United States species, not to Australian snakes
copperhead snake
vsAgkistrodon contortrix
  • US
7.7

A venomous snake with a copper-colored head and dark cross bands

is a single species native to upland eastern United States, not the broader regional type

Surface Forms

Agkistrodon contortrix singular
Agkistrodon contortrixes plural

Morphology

Agkistrodon + contortrix

The phrase is a Linnaean binomial: a learner who knows 'Agkistrodon' can infer this refers to a species within that snake genus (i.e., a type of venomous snake), but the species epithet 'contortrix' is not transparent or dictionary-defined so the specific common name ('copperhead') and descriptive traits are not derivable. Binomial names are partially compositional (genus + species) but require domain knowledge or a translation of the epithet for the full meaning.

Etymology

Agkistrodon contortrix comes from old Greek and Latin words: Agkistrodon meaning 'hooked tooth' and contortrix meaning 'twisted'. This picture of a snake with curved fangs and a twisted, coiled body explains why the name fits the dangerous 'copperhead' snake.