A python is a large snake that kills animals by squeezing them with its body.
python in British English
(ˈpaɪθən)
noun
any large nonvenomous snake of the family Pythonidae of Africa, S Asia, and Australia, such as Python reticulatus (reticulated python). They can reach a length of more than 20 feet and kill their prey by constriction
Derived forms
pythonic (paɪˈθɒnɪk)
adjective
Word origin
C16: New Latin, after Python
Python in British English
(ˈpaɪθən)
noun
Greek mythology
a dragon, killed by Apollo at Delphi
python in American English
(ˈpaɪˌθɑn; ˈpaɪθən)
noun
1. [P-]; Greek Mythology
an enormous serpent that lurks in the cave of Mount Parnassus and is slain by Apollo
2.
any of a genus (Python, family Boidae) of very large, nonvenomous snakes of Asia, Africa, and Australia,that squeeze their prey to death