boa

[ boh-uh ]

noun

, plural bo·as.

1. any of several nonvenomous, chiefly tropical constrictors of the family Boidae, having vestigial hind limbs at the base of the tail.
2. a scarf or stole of feathers, fur, or fabric.

boa

/ ˈbəʊə /

noun

1. 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
2. a woman's long thin scarf, usually of feathers or fur

Word History and Origins

Origin of boa¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: water adder

Word History and Origins

Origin of boa¹

C19: from New Latin, from Latin: a large Italian snake, water snake

Example Sentences

At one point we’re treated to some grainy footage he’s obsessed with, which appears to show a boa constrictor getting ready to devour a tiger.

From Time

The boa constrictor’s choke hold is an iconic animal attack.

From Science News

Taxidermied birds, feather boas and birds as earrings became largely unfashionable and were rarely seen again in women’s fashion.

From No Straight News

What’s more, the Hispaniolan vineboa may be among the smallest boas in the world, Reynolds, Landestoy and colleague Robert Henderson of the Milwaukee Public Museum report August 17 in Breviora.

From Science News

The boa constrictor was “sheltered in a cage” and was removed — alive — by animal-control officers, Piringer said.

From Washington Post

Aged around 85, in her long life Boa Sr witnessed the entire destruction of her people.

From The Daily Beast

Ventura did have more qualifications for elected office than simply wearing a feathered boa while grappling in the wrestling ring.

From The Daily Beast

Most of them had picked their own clothes without a stylist, so there was a lot of boa and fringe and sparkles.

From The Daily Beast

Dorian had a unique talent for striking glamorous and artistic attitudes while clutching a live boa constrictor.

From The Daily Beast

Mack, according to reports, used his winnings to fill his home with Rottweilers, tarantulas, and a boa constrictor.

From The Daily Beast

Now indeed they would have a grand feast, for they could add the flesh of the deer and boa to what they had already obtained.

From Project Gutenberg

The rest of the party came up at this moment and helped cut away the skin of the boa.

From Project Gutenberg

Around her throat was a white feather boa, while her features were half concealed by the veil she wore.

From Project Gutenberg

He was as successful as he was brave, and he had the great good luck to meet a tiger, a young hippopotamus, and a boa constrictor.

From Project Gutenberg

I said, with my imagination full of boa-constrictors big enough to entwine and crush us up.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bandanna
• shawl
• stole