constrictor

[ kuhn-strik-ter ]

noun

1. a snake that kills its prey by coiling tightly around it, causing suffocation.
2. Anatomy. a muscle that constricts a hollow part of the body, as the pharynx.
3. a person or thing that constricts.

constrictor

/ kənˈstrɪktə /

noun

1. any of various nonvenomous snakes, such as the pythons, boas, and anaconda, that coil around and squeeze their prey to kill it
2. any muscle that constricts or narrows a canal or passage; sphincter
3. a person or thing that constricts

Word History and Origins

Origin of constrictor¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1700–10; constrict, -tor

Example Sentences

When one part of a Boa constrictor’s rib cage is compressed, the part of its lungs enclosed here cannot draw air.

From Science News For Students

Now, experiments show that when one part of a boa constrictor’s rib cage is compressed — preventing the part of its lungs enclosed there from drawing in air — the snake can move another section of its rib cage to inflate its lungs there.

From Science News

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

From The Daily Beast

The shovel-headed constrictor suddenly seems all mouth, as it stretches its jaws wide.

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

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

It moves with great rapidity, and in general form and size it resembles C. constrictor.

From Project Gutenberg

The pall of the black squalor had been tightening about the girl's heart like an impalpable constrictor and almost strangling it.

From Project Gutenberg

Anaconda, an-a-kon′da, n. a large South American water-snake of the Python family, closely related to the boa-constrictor.

From Project Gutenberg

Coiled around him like a large boa-constrictor, reaching to his very throat,——But I sicken as I write!

From Project Gutenberg