common water snake
- noun
- /ˈkɑːmən ˈwɔːtər sneɪk/
- US
:
serpiente de agua común
- We saw a common water snake basking on a log by the riverbank.
Examples
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I spotted a common water snake near the pond.
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The common water snake rarely strays far from a water source in its habitat.
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Many people mistake the harmless common water snake for a venomous species.
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The common water snake is often seen basking on rocks.
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While fishing by the lake, I spotted a common water snake swimming gracefully through the water.
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The common water snake is often seen basking on rocks near the riverbank.
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During our hike, we encountered a common water snake slithering along the edge of the pond.
Synonyms
2
3.5
A snake that usually is not dangerous and lives near water
A water snake found near rivers and ponds in North America that is not dangerous to people
A water snake that is not poisonous and lives near rivers and lakes in North America
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a frequently occurring snake that lives in or near water' is directly and compositionally derived from 'common' (frequently occurring) + 'water' (habitat) + 'snake' (reptile), so a B1 learner who knows the parts will infer the referent. Minor taxonomic specifics (e.g., nonvenomous, genus Nerodia) are not predictable from the words, but the core referential meaning is fully transparent across languages and standard noun compounding patterns.
Etymology
The name common water snake comes from a simple picture: a snake that lives in or near water, and common means the usual kind in the area. So the name came to mean 'the usual water-dwelling snake', which is why today it refers to a nonvenomous snake often found by rivers and lakes.