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Glite Dictionary
rock snake

rock snake

7.6
A very large snake from Africa that can grow over six meters long
  • noun
  • South African
translation icon : pitón de roca
  • A rock snake can grow over six meters long and is considered one of Africa's largest snakes.

Examples

  • During their safari, they spotted a massive rock snake coiled around a tree branch.

  • The villagers called for help after discovering a rock snake near their homes.

  • The rock snake is known for its impressive size.

  • Many people are afraid of the rock snake.

  • A rock snake can grow over six meters long and is considered one of Africa's largest snakes.

  • During their safari, they spotted a massive rock snake coiled around a tree branch.

  • The villagers called for help after discovering a rock snake near their homes.

Synonyms

Python sebae
vsrock snake
  • Specialized
9.5

A very large African snake that kills animals by squeezing them

is the common everyday name rather than the formal species name
rock python
vsrock snake
  • South African
7.1

A very large African snake that kills prey by squeezing it

is a neutral species label rather than one stressing strength or venom status

Surface Forms

rock snake singular
rock snakes plural

Morphology

rock + snake

The compound is compositionally interpretable: a B1 learner who knows 'rock' and 'snake' will reasonably infer it denotes a kind of snake associated with rocks or rocky habitat. However, the specific encyclopedic sense 'a very large python (Python sebae)' — including size and exact species identity — is not predictable from the constituents alone, so the expression is only partly transparent.

Etymology

The compound noun rock snake probably comes from the words rock and snake because these big snakes hide among rocks and can look like a stone when coiled. That's why the name is used for 'a very large python'.