snake
(sneɪk )
Word forms: snakes , snaking , snaked
1. countable noun A2
A snake is a long, thin reptile without legs.
Synonyms: serpent
2. verb
Something that snakes in a particular direction goes in that direction in a line with a lot of bends. [literary]
The road snaked through forested mountains. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The three-mile procession snaked its way through the richest streets of the capital. [VERB way preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: wind, twist, curve, turn
Image of snake
© Twin Design, Shutterstock
Idioms:
a snake in the grass
someone that you strongly dislike and disapprove of because, although they pretend to be your friend, they are actually your enemy and betray you
He's just a snake in the grass. You can't trust that guy.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
snake oil [mainly US]
something which someone is trying to sell you or make you believe in when you think it is false and is not to be trusted
He said he was in the oil business. He just omitted to say it was the snake oil business.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Collocations:
poisonous snake snake venom venomous snake
England's World Cup training camp is infested with deadly, poisonous snakes.
The Sun (2010)
If, on the other hand, the person woke up in a tent in the rainforest to see the same poisonous snake sliding along the sleeping bag towards the pillow, the reaction would be rather different.
EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
He lists his fears as poisonous snakes and uncontrollable wild beasts, and had not previously seen the show.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It doesn't contain real snake venom - it's made from ingredients that mimic the effects of venom.
Times, Sunday Times
However, studies to determine snake venom lethality or potency need to be designed to minimise variability and several techniques have been designed to this end.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Their structure and activity are novel among snake venom components.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The plot concerns an institute that researches medicines made from snake venom, a genuine area of scientific research, especially to produce antivenom.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
This protein belongs to large family of snake venom toxins.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The more venomous snakes are kept in a lock-up at the back of the store, to which only senior staff have access.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Snakes, especially venomous snakes, are a hard sell.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The king cobra is the longest of all venomous snakes.
The Sun (2011)
Translations:
Chinese: 蛇, 蜿蜒行进
Japanese: ヘビ, くねって進む