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Glite Dictionary
blue racer

blue racer

8.4
A fast blue-green snake from parts of the United States that is not poisonous
  • noun
  • /bluː ˈreɪsər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : serpiente azul
  • During our trip to Ohio, we spotted a swift blue racer darting across the path.

Examples

  • While hiking in Texas, we encountered a stunning blue racer slithering through the grass.

  • Natalie spots the blue racer reaching the end of the long pier.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Craning up along the side of the pier, we find Natalie looking into the water where the blue racer went in.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • The blue racer is known for its sleek body and vibrant color, making it a sight to behold in the wild.

Synonyms

Coluber constrictor flaviventris
vsblue racer
  • Specialized
9.9

A fast, nonpoisonous snake with a blue-green back and yellow belly found from Ohio to Texas

does not show a distinct yellow belly in its appearance

Surface Forms

blue racer singular
blue racers plural

Morphology

blue + racer

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'blue' denotes color and 'racer' (in this sense) names a fast, nonvenomous snake, so 'blue racer' means a racer that is blue. Color + noun compounding is a common, cross-linguistic pattern and thus a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Blue racer comes from the snake's look and speed: blue because its skin often looks bluish, and racer because it moves very fast. So, the name means 'a fast, not poisonous snake'.