boa
Americannoun
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any of several nonvenomous, chiefly tropical constrictors of the family Boidae, having vestigial hind limbs at the base of the tail.
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a scarf or stole of feathers, fur, or fabric.
noun
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any large nonvenomous snake of the family Boidae , most of which occur in Central and South America and the Caribbean. They have vestigial hind limbs and kill their prey by constriction
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a woman's long thin scarf, usually of feathers or fur
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of boa
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: water adder
Explanation
A boa is a type of snake that squeezes its prey. It's also a fluffy, feathered, colorful scarf. Don't confuse the two and wear a snake as a scarf! There are two types of boas: one is usually dangerous, and one is sometimes fashionable. The boa is a type of enormous serpent (also known as a boa constrictor) that squeezes its victims to death. Boas are mainly found in tropical regions. If you see a boa outside a zoo, you're in deep trouble. The other type of boa is more silly than scary: it's a long thin scarf that has either feathers or fur. If you are shopping for a boa, try to avoid coming home with the reptilian variety.
Vocabulary lists containing boa
Mixed Up
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Megan is a big anime fan and the same style is seen in her music videos like "BOA" and "Neva Play."
From Salon • Nov. 1, 2024
“In order to avoid irreparable harm to Plaintiff, both financially and reputationally, BOA must be enjoined and directed to return what is undisputedly Plaintiff’s property,” the restraining order reads.
From Washington Times • May 23, 2023
"The emergence of financial stress is likely to indicate to the committee that monetary policy is closer to being 'sufficiently restrictive' than some may have thought previously," BOA economists wrote.
From Reuters • Mar. 21, 2023
For Garrett McQueen, a bassoonist, executive producer and BOA Leadership Council member, the way Till’s story is told is one thing.
From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2022
In the current phase of my life I also take great inspiration from looking around the office at the BOA.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2021
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
